Anita Sanchez and Raghu Markus confront the impacts of global warming, celebrate indigenous traditions, and explore the deep connection of nature and humanity.This week, Raghu and Anita Sanchez have a compelling conversation on:Anita's recent journey into the Amazon RainforestThe intense impact of global warming on Amazonian landscapesThe strength and leadership of indigenous amazonian womenClimate change as the biggest threat to national securityViewing plants and nature as our relativesAsking our ancestors for answers in our dreamsThe way that mother earth cares for usGetting rid of the illusion of separatenessAnita's epiphany at a Sundance ceremonyGetting involved with protecting our planetReconnecting to sacred, ritualistic ways of beingIndigenous plant medicine and the potency of AyahuascaAppropriation of indigenous practicesWhat the four sacred gifts areAbout Anita Sanchez, Ph.D:Anita was born into a Midwest family that was economically poor, yet rich in Mexican-American and Nahua (also known as Aztec) heritage. Fortified with the strength of her elders and connection to the earth, she became the first in her family of over one hundred first cousins to earn a doctorate degree. She has gone on to a career as an international transformational leader.Dr. Sanchez is committed to bridging indigenous wisdom and science with or contemporary work and life, to support our individual wholeness and collective conscious evolution in partnership with People, Spirit, and the Earth. With her loving spirit, presence and skill, Anita inspires people around the world to discover and trust their gifts, to become life-giving connections to all, in service and joy.Learn more about Anita’s work at anita-sanchez.com and check out her own podcast on Be Here Now Network, The Four Sacred Gifts“80% of the most biodiverse places left on this earth are lands that indigenous people live on. Yet, we’re only 5 or 6 % of the world’s population. That’s not a coincidence, that’s because we have this relationship.”– Anita Sanchez, Ph.DSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bridging science and spirit, Stephanie Karzon Abrams chats with Raghu about integrating psychedelics and soul into the medical community.This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Stephanie delve into: Out-of-body experiences through musicAddressing identity changes after Traumatic Brain InjuriesUtilizing plants to promote better healthReconnecting to ourselves through psychedelic therapiesTrauma from displacement and immigrationBridging science and spirit by integrating holistic views into medicineThe mental health impact of physical health issuesGetting the medical world to want to heal the mind and soul as well as the physicalThe ways that psychedelic experiences can change usThe importance of having a guide through psychedelic experiencesSitting with discomfort and being open to the lessonsHow music expands our minds and creates a space for connectionAbout Stephanie Karzon Abrams:Stephanie Karzon Abrams, a neuropharmacologist with a Masters of Science in Clinical Pharmacology, is the founding advisor of Beyond The Bench consultancy. The firm provides science, research, operations, and strategy solutions to organizations and clinics in the natural product, plant medicine, and psychedelic sectors. A recognized leader in shaping the future of integrative and innovative healthcare, Stephanie Karzon Abrams champions the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Her interests extend beyond neurology, encompassing plant medicines, women’s health, and the potential of music to enhance healing. Check out Stephanie’s music label, Public Secret.“Anybody who has any kind of health challenge will have their mental health affected. There is an impact. Just treating that illness or symptom is not enough; you need to heal the mind. You need to heal the soul. They’re all interconnected. There’s no reason why medical science, especially when we talk about psychedelics, can’t address all of that. For me, that’s the ultimate goal, if I can use research as a tool to achieve this then I’ve succeeded.” – Stephanie Karzon AbramsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Written in the key of grief and the melody of praise, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer sits down with Raghu to discuss her newest poetry book, The Unfolding.Enjoy your own copy of The Unfolding to read Rosemerry’s heart-opening poems! Purchase the book HEREThis week, tune into Rosemerry and Raghu’s conversation on: The loss of Rosemerry’s son and fatherLiving through seasons of extreme griefUnderstanding the gift of a poemOppositional feelings experienced at the same time (pain + joy, etc.)Recognizing how desperately we need eachotherThe Grand Quilt, The Medicine of Surrender, and more poems written and read by RosemerryBrave prayers and the things that open us / help us growInspiration from Gregory Orr and Leonard CohenHow grief strips us naked and makes us vulnerableRaghu sends us off with a beautiful Kabir poem from the book Painting from the Palette of LoveAbout Rossemerry Trommer:Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Miguel County, Colorado from 2006–2010, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado’s Western Slope by the Telluride Institute from 2015–2017. Most recently, Rosemerry published The Unfolding, a book of poetry exploring grief. Rosemerry was featured on TEDxTalks to discuss the art of changing metaphors and created an album of poetry called Dark Praise with Steve Law. Check out Rosemerry’s website, Wordwoman, and her daily poetry blog, A Hundred Falling Veils. You can also join Rosemerry in an immersive daily experience of poetry and reflection on the Ritual app.“So many people reached out to help me… they’d say, ‘What can we do?’ And I’d just say, ‘Open me. Help me stay open. Please, help me stay open.’” – Rosemerry TrommerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniele Bolelli contrasts the beauty of community and selfless leadership in Native culture with the epidemic of loneliness in America.In this episode, Daniele and Raghu roll through: Native American history and lessonsDaniele’s first exposure to Native culture through his journalist motherHow the Sundance ceremony shifted Daniele’s entire worldThe purpose of Sundance ceremony and praying for the welfare of all living beingsThe beauty and power of community we can see in Native American cultureLoneliness in America as an epidemicDiscussing a few of the great Native American chiefs, like Crazy Horse and Sitting BullThinking collectively for the well-being of an entire villageWhy a functioning community or tribe is essential for collective ideologies to workThe Native American myth of the Wendigo as a metaphor for insatiable cravingGrab the book Daniele suggests, Black Elk Speaks, for more Native American wisdom and stories.About Daniele Bolelli:Daniele Bolelli is an Italian writer, philosopher, and professor of comparative religion. Currently living in Los Angeles, Danielle Bolelli is also a martial artist and podcaster. Learn more about Danielle Bolelli and his published works as well as his suggested reading list on Daniellebolelli.com.Be sure to subscribe to Danielle’s podcast, History on Fire.“Loneliness is one of those epidemics that is killing us on a mental health level. When you see functioning communities, it’s a beautiful thing because that sense of relation that exists with this group of people that are not just your nuclear family but extend beyond that.” – Daniele BolelliSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing inspiration from the monk Thomas Merton, James Finley explains what he has learned about God, healing, and mystical paths.Grab James Finley’s Memoir, The Healing Path, HEREThis week, James and Raghu have a deep conversation about: How James discovered a connection to God through Thomas MertonJames’ time living in the Abbey of Gethsemani immediately after high schoolThe resonance that happens between awakened peopleThe secret, safe place that God can commune with usNever forgetting what we learn from dark timesHaving empathy for others through our own sufferingSeeing children as our mentorsBecoming an act of acceptance for the unexplainable mysteryThe healing stories in the gospelsAbout James Finley:James Finley is an author, clinical psychologist, and spiritual director. He is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation (with Richard Rohr) and is host of the CAC podcast “Turning to the Mystics.” A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani, he is the author of the classic book Merton’s Palace of Nowhere: A Search for God through Awareness of the True Self. A leading figure in the integration of psychology and spiritual direction, he has led workshops and retreats around the country.“Often, when the terror is overtaking us, it isn’t until later that we reflect on it. We realize it isn’t that it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t just terrible. That precisely because it got so dark I was able to see a light shining in the darkness that had come in looking for me, or it was there all along and I didn’t know it.”– James FinleySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Turning to Celtic wisdom, author and teacher John Philip Newell chats with Raghu about reconnecting to our home, Mother Earth.Pick up your copy of John’s new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home, HERE.This week, John and Raghu get into: John’s upbringing and being drawn to the natural worldThe Celtic lineage and having awareness for the sacredness of natureKnowing that wisdom resides deep within us, not outside of usSeeing the universe as an expression of the divineWhat we can learn from native traditionsA radical new beginning through humility and relation to earth and one anotherAddressing the divine in one another and in every life formBreaking cycles of war and repetitionThe contributions of Carl Jung on the collective and individual unconsciousMerging Eastern and Western traditionsCheck out The Marriage of East and West to learn more about the topics John and Raghu referenceAbout John Philip Newell:John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being. In 2016 he began the Earth & Soul initiative and teaches regularly in the United States and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimage weeks on Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland. His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he has authored over fifteen books, including his award-winning publication, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, which was the 2022 Gold Winner of the Nautilus Book Award for Spirituality and Religious Thought of the West. His new book, also with HarperOne (and published in the UK by Wild Goose), is The Great Search (August 2024), in which he looks at the great spiritual yearnings of humanity today in the context of the decline of religion as we have known it.Join senior meditation teachers David Nichtern and Rebecca D’Onofrio for a free online discussion on the path of developing one's own meditation practice and supporting others who wish to explore this transformative path. Register for free today: The Journey of Becoming a Meditation Teacher | Sep. 19th @ 6:00pm ET“For me, it was the introduction to Celtic wisdom that awakened me to knowing that wisdom is deep within us and the divine is at the very heart of our beings. We don’t have to somehow invoke or implore a distance presence.” – John Philip NewellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Connecting the inner world and the outer world, physicist Federico Faggin reveals his work studying the physics of spirituality.Follow this link to order your copy of Federico's book: Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers and Human NatureThis episode of Mindrolling with Federico and Raghu includes these topics: Federico's life growing up in ItalyNeuroscience and studying consciousnessHow physical feelings come from electrical processes in the brainConnecting spirituality and physicsConsidering if a computer could be programmed for consciousnessFaggin's experience recognizing the inner love that comes out of usHow quantum physics proves the interconnection within the universeFederico's perspective on freewill and determinism in our livesGoing beyond what science has doneThe limited freedom we have while incarnatedPredicting our behavior and how our consciousness is watching allGrace and the unpredictability of free willThe divine mystery and why it will never be resolvedAbout Federico Faggin:Federico Faggin is an Italian-American physicist, engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known for designing the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004. He led the 4004 project and the design group during the first five years of Intel's microprocessor effort. Federico Faggin is one of the greatest luminaries of high technology alive today; his work underlies the modern world's entire information technology. His new book, Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers and Human Nature, was just published in May of 2024.“I eventually ended up deciding that I was going to spend the rest of my life studying consciousness and trying to connect spirituality and physics. In other worlds, connect the other inner world of experience and meaning with the outer world of symbols and matter in space and time.” – Federico FagginJoin senior meditation teachers David Nichtern and Rebecca D’Onofrio for a free online discussion on the path of developing one's own meditation practice and supporting others who wish to explore this transformative path. Register for free today: The Journey of Becoming a Meditation Teacher | Sep. 19th @ 6:00pm ETSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Focusing on curiosity, patience, and self-compassion, Cortland Dahl joins Raghu to go over his new book, A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism.This week, Cortland and Raghu discuss: The mystical practice of making aspirationsTuning into ourselves and trusting ourselvesLearning through our relationshipsRecognizing that the next Buddha is the sanghaNurturing sparks of inspiration through practiceHow meeting teachers helps us realize our own inner depthWhy curiosity can move us along the spiritual pathPatience, creating space, and being vs. doingSelf-compassion in a world of chaos and uncertaintyDiscomfort as a zone of growthExpanding our motivations for doing our practiceSeeing the awakened nature in everyone and everythingPick up a copy of A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism HEREAbout Cortland Dahl:Cortland Dahl is a Buddhist scholar and translator, author, meditation teacher, and a collaborator on various scientific studies. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies, he lived for eight years in India and Nepal, where he spent long periods in solitary retreat in the Himalayan foothills and taught courses on Buddhism, meditation, and Tibetan language at Kathmandu University’s Center for Buddhist Studies and at the Tergar Institute, which he co-founded in 2007. He went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was mentored by the renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and received a Ph.D. in Mind, Brain, and Contemplative Science, the first ever degree of its kind awarded by the university. Cortland's current work focuses on studying the psychological and neural mechanisms of different families of meditation practice. He is also the creator of the Healthy Minds program, a well-being training program that integrates insights from scientific research with a comprehensive path of contemplative training. Keep up with Cortland HERE or check out his books HERE.“We have no clue of this depth and richness that is inside of us. How we stumble through life completely oblivious to these amazing qualities of mind and somehow we just haven’t learned to see it. Then, you meet a teacher and it gets cracked open a little bit and you start getting a glimpse just by being in their orbit.” – Cortland Dahl See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's Mindrolling is a collection of some of the best moments from Raghu’s interviews with mindfulness and metta experts Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg.In this special episode:Clip 1 (Ep. 65): Raghu and Joseph explore the foundations of mindfulness, the influence of habits, and how everything hinges on the tip of motivation. Clip 2 (Ep. 44): Raghu and Sharon discuss metta practice and practical ways to connect with others through loving-kindness. Clip 3 (Ep. 224): Raghu and Joseph delve into the realities of mindfulness and how the craving for becoming can hijack our meditation practice. Clip 4 (Ep. 225): Raghu and Sharon touch on the Eightfold Path, the balance of equanimity and effort, and the universal truth of starting over. Clip 5 (Ep. 457): Joseph leads a meditation on awareness, beautifully punctuated with a haiku poem.“And we can suffuse the whole field of mindfulness with the feeling of loving-kindness. Friendliness towards our own experience and well-wishing for all others. May all beings be at peace.” – Joseph GoldsteinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver and Raghu sit down for a conversation about maintaining equanimity in the face of multiple humanitarian and ecological crises around the world.Join comedian Duncan Trussell and Buddhist teacher David Nichtern on September 3rd for a free online talk: Imposter Syndrom & Teaching MeditationThis week, David and Raghu discuss: The divided state of our countryDealing with negative emotions like depression and lonelinessAdjusting our internal behavior in order to help others and ourselvesLooking to spiritual practitioners for answers and guidanceThe current political landscape of our worldThe necessity of having both wisdom and compassionRemaining equanimous in the face of global crisesBeing aware of spiritual materialismWhy a sitting meditation practice is integral for self-understandingOvercoming the afflictions and distortions of the mindSending loving kindness to all corners of our heartsTransforming ourselves to make the world a better placeAbout David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silver’s #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, “The Compleat Beatles” is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about history’s most famous band. The term ‘rockumentary’ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a “masterwork.” Silver’s Warner Brothers’ feature film, “No Nukes” also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries.“We are overwhelmed in so many different ways. This, everybody, is the first thing to do. Many people will say ‘I find it difficult. My mind wanders. I can’t really meditate.’ It’s called practice. You start with 3 minutes, you go to 5, 10, 15, 20. You do it because this overwhelm is absolutely untenable for us without some practice.” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Using modern tools to support inner transformation, ServiceSpace founder Nipun Mehta offers innovative solutions for turning artificial intelligence into collective heart intelligence.Learn more about ServiceSpace’s unique model of organizing small acts of service at servicespace.org.In this episode, Nipun and Raghu chat about: Nipun’s upbringing and finding the infinity behind each momentLiving a life of serviceUsing artificial intelligence for inner transformation and the emergence of compassionFear of AI versus it’s potential positive usesCollective heart Intelligence versus today’s artificial intelligenceTaking care of others as others take care of youNipun and his wife’s pilgrimage through IndiaLooking at what we can do to offer kindness to the worldBeing sustainable through being relatedThe physical and emotional rewards of being generousShifting from transaction into relationshipAbout Nipun Mehta:Nipun Mehta is the founder of ServiceSpace (formerly CharityFocus), an incubator of projects that works at the intersection of volunteerism, technology, and the gift economy. What started as an experiment with four friends in Silicon Valley has now grown to a global ecosystem of over 400,000 members that has delivered millions of dollars in service for free. Mehta has received many awards, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and Wavy Gravy’s Humanitarian award. He serves on the advisory boards of the Seva Foundation, the Dalai Lama Foundation, and the Greater Good Science Center. Check out some of Nipun’s TedTalks HERE and HERE.“Can we bring in this vision, this intention, this possibility? Can our modern tools support our inner transformation, which then can out of a heart of service flow out into the world through a very different design pattern?” – Nipun MehtaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussing her new book, Ordinary Mysticism, Mirabai Starr breaks free from religious institutions and shares heart-opening mystical wisdom.Mirabai’s upcoming book, Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground, will be released in September 2024. Preorder your copy HERE!This time on Mindrolling, Mirabai and Raghu converse about: How beginner’s mind and humility help us cope with the worldOur capacity to feel the pain of the world as our superpowerThe dark night of the soul and Saint John of the CrossMirabai’s loss of her daughter and the transformational power of sufferingThe broken, open heart and expanding our heart to contain grief and realityBeing with ‘what is’ – as an act of devotion and loveReligious ‘polyamory’ and intimate encounters with numerous spiritual traditionsMirabai’s baptism and dedication to peace in the Middle EastWhy mystical experiences do not need to happen in the container of religionAbout Mirabai Starr:Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialogue. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Check out her many books and learn more at MirabaiStarr.com.“Often, organized institutionalized religious spaces and belief systems (this is my belief) can be an obstacle, an impediment to an actual mystical experience, if by mystical experience we mean an experience of intimacy with the sacred as love.” – Mirabai StarrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and artist Scott Snibbe visits Mindrolling to teach listeners how to train the mind for long-lasting happiness.Get your copy of Scott’s book, How to Train a Happy Mind: A Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment, HERE.This week on Mindrolling, Scott and Raghu discuss: How being in tune with reality leads to happinessScott’s childhood and sensing the feeling of infinitySelfishness/self-centeredness as an antagonist to joyHappiness through cherishing othersAnalytical meditation and filling your mindRemembering how precious every day isStabilizing the mind through meditation to be less reactiveConnecting with ourselves first thing in the morningHow cell phones externally define our world and lead to unhappinessLooking at who we are beneath our thoughts, feelings, and personalitySmall shifts in our daily lives such as smilingEmbodying human rights in our thoughts and behaviorAbout Scott Snibbe:Scott Snibbe is an interactive media artist, author, entrepreneur, and meditation instructor who hosts the Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment meditation podcast. His first book, How to Train a Happy Mind, was released in 2024. Keep up with Scott on his website.“The Buddhist view on happiness is really the reality view on happiness. The better word might be satisfaction, contentment, or well-being. It is not the temporary things like having an ice-cream cone, or a nice walk, or someone kiss-you, which are all lovely. That’s a pleasure. It doesn’t last. Happiness really can be long-lasting.” – Scott SnibbeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamie Kilstein returns to the Mindrolling Podcast!In this episode, Jamie speaks with Raghu about finding an appreciation for all faiths and shares how exploring different religions led him to Jesus.Jamie and Raghu talk about: Oppression within organized religionJamie’s experience with psychedelics and Ram DassZen as the atheism of religionMaharaj-ji and incorporating multiple religionsHow music connects us to religionBeing led to Jesus ChristThe importance of Sangha and connecting to the communitySeeing the beauty in all faiths rather than being restrictiveHow Jesus set us free for freedomRecommendation from this episode: Jazz Musician Bill EvansAbout Jamie Kilstein:Jamie Alexander Kilstein is an American writer, radio host, and stand-up comic. He hosts the podcast, Trauma Bonding, with his wife Alex. Keep up with Jamie on his Instagram or on his website.“I think you find the right spiritual group or people who can connect with you and can laugh so hard that you can feel God, people who can hold you accountable, that is really important with spirituality.” – Jamie KilsteinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and Medium Paul Selig shares transformational wisdom from divine messengers and chats with Raghu about what our world could be like.Paul’s third book in The Manifestation Trilogy, A World Made New, will be out in September 2024. Preorder HERE!This week on Mindrolling, Paul and Raghu converse about: Paul’s journey of becoming and the split between the perceived self and the real selfWorking with energy and understanding phenomenaDivine guides and how they present to PaulPaul’s connection to Ram Dass and his vision of the Ram Dass house in HawaiiMediumship and sensing Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji in the spirit realmIdentity and the structure of realityKnowing the divine self and aligning with it as a demonstration of our true natureChanneling messages from the divineAbout Paul Selig:Paul Selig is an author and medium who is considered to be one of the foremost spiritual channels working today. In his breakthrough works of channeled literature, Selig has recorded an extraordinary program for personal and planetary evolution as humankind awakens to its own divine nature. Paul offers channeled workshops internationally and serves on the faculty of The Omega Institute, The Kripalu Center and the Esalen Institute. Also a noted educator, he served on the faculty of NYU for over 25 years and directed the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Goddard College. He lives in Maui where he maintains a private practice as an intuitive and conducts frequent live-stream seminars. Check out Paul’s numerous books HERE and preorder your copy of the upcoming A World Made New, Paul’s third book in The Manifestation Trilogy.“Who you put in darkness calls you to that darkness. It’s all co-residence. So, if you can see the divine in someone or something you’re actually lifting it. They say what you bless blesses you in return.” – Paul SeligSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer and meditation teacher, Henry Shukman, joins Raghu to discuss his forthcoming book, Original Love, and how love is the true foundation of our life.In this episode of Mindrolling, Henry and Raghu journey through: Henry’s background, travels, and witnessing joy among those without materialistic richesRecognizing how we are a part of everything in the universeHow meditation helped Henry stop limping through lifeTranscendental meditation and being religious about our practiceAcknowledging our suppressed emotions and working through them with the help of therapyHenry’s time as a trombonist in London calypso bandsTaking on an altruistic perspective to improve your lifeHow meditation does so much more than mitigate stressThe early Buddhist view of mindfulnessInterrupting our constant mental commentary by focusing on bodily sensationsThe experiential reality of unity, emptiness, and boundlessnessBreaking open our hearts through any religion or experienceTapping into unconditional love for ourselves and othersAbout Henry Shukman:Henry Shukman is an English meditation teacher, Zen master, poet and author. Shukman teaches mindfulness and awakening practices. To learn more about his offerings, check out his website HERE. Shukman’s new book, Original Love, is coming out on July 9th and can be ordered HERE.Check out The Way app for guided meditations from Henry Shukman“Each of us is that very jewel that’s a boundless, loving oneness. We don’t need to be some sort of special person to find it.” – Henry ShukmanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activist and mountaineer, Wasfia Nazreen, has an expansive talk with Raghu about her trek up the K2 peak and finding inner strength.This time on Mindrolling, Wasfia and Raghu explore: Connecting to Mother EarthHow abandonment taught Wasfia that education was her pathway to freedomHow moving to Georgia gave Wasfia a deep connection to the culture of the American SouthThe Tonglen meditation technique and taking away the pain of othersHow Wasfia was magnetized to Tibetan BuddhismWasfia’s journeys as a mountain climber and the healing power of climbingRevering mountains as the home of Gods and GoddessesDead Zones and trekking up dangerous summitsWasfia’s connection to the Dalai Lama and Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheAbout Wasfia Nazreen:Wasfia Nazreen is best known for being the only Bangladeshi and first Bengali in the world to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains of every continent. She is also the only woman to hold the simultaneous titles of National Geographic Explorer & Adventurer. An outspoken activist since her late teens, her passion has always been driven by causes close to her heart. A human-rights activist, an environmentalist, a writer, educator, pilot, and producer – Wasfia wears many hats, all of which are grounded in strong foundations of meditation and self-realization practices. Learn more about her and follow her many adventures on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter“Ultimately, we are our own teachers, we are our own gurus, and we’re all here on our own individual karmic path, and what are we doing with it?” – Wasfia NazreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OG Mindroller David Silver reunites with Raghu to discuss the themes of consciousness and spirituality that lie at the heart of Hermann Hesse's literary work.This week on Mindrolling, David Silver connects with Raghu over: Inspiration from Hermann HesseThe book Siddhartha and embarking on a spiritual searchDescents into decadence and an attachment to the material worldEmbracing everything that is in front of usComparing lessons from Ram Dass and Hermann HesseThe inevitability of sufferingHow World War II likely influenced Hesse’s understanding of suffering and isolationLiving on more than one plane of consciousnessThe book Steppenwolf and Carl Jung’s conceptualization of the shadowFear and owning up to ourselvesRaghu’s experience at the Garchen Buddhist InstituteThe problem with media and accessing constant informationAssuming an altruistic perspectiveLearn more about Herman Hesse HERE and check out The Marginalian HEREAbout David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. K.C. Tewari—in the guise of a headmaster of a boys school in the foothills of the Himalayas—was secretly a High Yogi, frequently able to go into altered states of trance, known as Samadhi, at any moment.“Hesse’s novels created for me a world that I aspired to but didn’t understand in any way at that time, in the sixties. It just fitted in with the flashes of wisdom that would come with an acid trip.” – David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussing her memoir, Lotus Girl, Helen Tworkov and Raghu talk about spiritual quests and experiencing a deeper reality.Get your copy of Lotus Girl HEREIn this episode, Helen and Raghu talk about: Growing up with tyrannical parentsHow the iconic photo of Thich Quang Duc changed Helen’s lifeBeing orientated to Asia through Psychedelics, out-of-body meditation experiences, and equanimityRaghu’s altered state through the music of John ColtraneHow trying to understand her family lead Helen on a quest for realityHelen’s friendship with Charles MingusStories of the Dalai LamaHolding suffering without letting it define youOur capacity to feel many emotions at the same timeBeing accepting of whatever is in front of you in the moment“At the time, I had no understanding that that kind of break with reality could be an entry into a deeper reality that was very true.” – Helen TworkovSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reflecting on Gandhi’s principles, Raghu and Perry Garfinkel discuss sainthood, imperfection, and continued service to others.Get your copy of Perry’s book, Becoming Gandhi, HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Perry and Raghu talk about: Bob Dylan, Jazz, and music as a portalPerry’s journey to India looking for Neem Karoli BabaFollowing the footsteps of Mahatma GandhiHow sainthood does not mean you are enlightenedPolarized views of Gandhi and controversy based on gender, race, etc.Acting out empathy in compassionate waysThe six principles of truth, vegetarianism, non-violence, simplicity, faith, and celibacyRe-introducing Gandhi to the next generationSeparating the idea of faith from any rigid religious dogmaTrusting our own unique experiencesAbout Perry Garfinkel:Perry Garfinkel is an author and has been a contributor to the New York Times since 1986, specializing in travel and cultural trends. A veteran journalist who has covered the overlap of East and West for more than thirty years for many major publications, he has been falling on and off the meditation cushion for just as long. He lives on Martha’s Vineyard. Visit him on his website and check out his book offerings HERE.“My message in my book is that you do not have to become Gandhi, ridiculously disciplined. But, if you just turn the dial down or up in certain areas, life is about trying to improve yourself.” – Perry GarfinkelSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussing his memoir, Down for the Cause, Bruce “Badri” Margolin talks with Raghu about his work in drug reform and meeting Ram Dass, Tim Leary, and Neem Karoli Baba.Grab your copy of Down for the Cause HEREThis week on Mindrolling, Bruce and Raghu talk about: What propelled Bruce on his journey as a lawyerBruce’s first marijuana defense caseThe Campaign to Abolition Marijuana Prohibition (C.A.M.P.)When Bruce received Be Here Now from his therapistBruce’s travels through Greece, Ethiopia, India and moreHow Bruce met Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba in IndiaReadjusting to the western worldBruce’s work in defending Tim Leary’s caseAbout Bruce Margolin:Bruce Margolin is an American criminal defense attorney who specializes in marijuana and drug laws. Bruce defended Timothy Leary and is renowned for his work in Marijuana decriminalization. Since 1973, Bruce has served as the executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). He is also the writer of the Margolin Guide to Marijuana Law and Down for the Cause. Follow Bruce on Instagram.“Bruce has had the blessing to take such a huge role in helping change one of the most draconian laws that has been in existence.” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reflecting on spirituality and synchronicity, Dr. Lisa Miller talks with Raghu about the capacity to have an awakened mind and heart.Get your copy of Dr. Miller’s book, The Awakened Brain, HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Dr. Lisa and Raghu talk about: Dr. Miller’s synchronistic connection with Ram DassIdentifying threads of lived, spiritual human life in clinical psychologyBeing born with the capacity to awakenCultivating our relationship to the transcendentThe difference between a spiritual experience and a fully integrated spiritual lifeAn awakened heart and mind as a protective factor against despairThe mental health epidemic in our countryTrust and moments of unconditional loveRadical love on Dr. Lisa’s journey to parenthoodHow suffering brings us closer to GodAbout Dr. Lisa Miller:Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is Professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University, Teachers College, where she founded the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program in spirituality and psychology. She is also the Editor of the Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality and Founder and Former Co-Editor of the APA journal, Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Dr Miller is the books The Awakened Brain and The Spiritual Child. Learn more about Dr. Miller on her website."No matter what religion we are born with or not born with, we are all born with a natural capacity in our brain to be in a transcendent relationship, number one, and number two, to feel power and love and guidance of that transcendent relationship as we turn towards one another.” – Dr. Lisa MillerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

RamDev, host of Healing at the Edge podcast, joins Raghu for a conversation on compassion and openness of the heart.This week on Mindrolling, RamDev and Raghu discuss:RamDev’s background in mathematics and recognizing patternsHow people in the West are not as embodied as in the EastThe first three chakras of fear, guilt, and shamePsychedelics and other dimensions of realityGoing beyond separatenessCompassion and non-dual practicesTaming the monkey-mindSub ek and quantum entanglementStories about Maharaj-ji’s mystical existenceHope for the future and allowing our hearts to be vulnerableA meditation around inclusivity through compassionAbout RamDev:Dale Borglum is the founder and Executive Director of The Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, on caregiving as a spiritual practice, and on healing at the edge, the edge of illness, of death, of loss, of crisis. Check out RamDev’s podcast, Healing at the Edge, on the Be Here Now Network.Learn more about The Living/Dying Project at livingdying.org“In Buddhism, they say that when the mind is totally awakened, naturally arising compassionate activity occurs. You don’t have to try to be compassionate, you are compassion. Compassion is not even an emotion, it’s a state of openness of the heart in relationship to suffering.” – RamDevSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tracy Cochran and Raghu talk about living our way to wisdom and being at home in ourselves through presence.Get your copy of Tracy’s book, Presence: The Art of Being at Home in Yourself, HEREIn this episode, Tracy and Raghu chat about:Living our way to wisdomThe knowledge that the world offers usRam Dass and Fierce GraceTracy’s experience being attackedBeing seen with eyes of love and compassionThe power of forgivenessHeartfulness and living within the truest parts of ourselvesCourage and the willingness to be openAbout Tracy Cochran:Tracy Cochran is a writer and meditation teacher. She is the author of Presence: The Art of Being at Home in Yourself, which is available on the Shambhala Publications website and on Amazon. She is the editorial director of Parabola, an acclaimed quarterly magazine that draws on the world’s cultural and wisdom traditions to explore the questions that all humans share. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Psychology Today, O Magazine, New York Magazine, Boston Review, and in many book anthologies and podcasts. Learn more about Tracy on her website.“We have to live our way to wisdom…The world offers us so much, but it’s something we live our way into. We live our own stories, our own challenges.” – Tracy CochranSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychedelic therapist and author Sean Lawlor chats with Raghu about shifting the paradigm through the healing power of psychedelics.Pre-order your copy of Sean’s book, Psychedelic Revival, HEREIn this trip on Mindrolling, Sean and Raghu take us through:Sean’s awakening through psychedelicsThe inter-connectivity of all thingsPsychedelic assisted therapyIndigenous uses of plant medicine and musicStories of Maria Sabina’s sacred ceremoniesChanging our negative habits and ways of beingTrusting ourselves to follow our inner guideRecreational use versus spiritual useHistorical trauma and polarizationAbout Sean Lawlor:Sean is an author, therapist, and developer of online course content. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Chatham University and completed a 3-year Master’s program in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. Sean’s new book, Psychedelic Revival: Toward a New Paradigm of Healing, is currently available for preorder in print and digital formats. Learn more about Sean on his website.“My most impactful and powerful psychedelic experiences have been outside of a therapy office and outside of a group, community kind of setting.” – Sean LawlorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Tsakiris co-hosts Mindrolling with Raghu for a conversation on consciousness and the ethics of artificial intelligence.In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Alex talk about:A.I. and the potential for sentienceScientific experiments in meditationTranshumanist agendas in societyThe way in which greed, power, and fear is taking over our worldThe purity of motivation and a willingness to transform self-interestA logical perspective on consciousnessHaving faith in the world and taking positive actionTruth as a powerful spiritual weaponNear death experiences and trying to comprehend the beyondMeeting beings who are beyond polarizationCompassion Bot, a compassion based A.I.Wise hope and having positive intention without concern for resultsAbout Alex TsakirisAlex Tsakiris is a successful entrepreneur turned science podcaster. In 2007 he founded Skeptiko, which has become the #1 podcast covering the science of human consciousness. Alex has appeared on syndicated radio talk shows both in the US and the UK. Alex is also the author of Why Science is Wrong…About Almost Everything.“I don’t want A.I. ethics; I want human ethics. I don’t want A.I. compassion and community; I want human compassion and community.” – Alex TsakirisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaymee Carpenter returns to Mindrolling for an expansive talk with Raghu on addiction, luminous darkness, and loving the mystery in it all.In this episode of Mindrolling, Jaymee Carpenter and Raghu Markus explore:Jaymee’s work with addiction counselingAdding to our own suffering / the second arrow in BuddhismHow Jaymee’s struggles with addiction have become doorways to connect with peopleHanuman, Christ, and love of the divineThe high of being on a retreatFinding light within the darknessSweat lodge ceremonies and being rebornBeing beyond identity when dealing with addictionRaghu’s experience with the charnel ground in IndiaGetting comfortable with the unknownMother energy and unconditional caringAll of the possibilities included in the mysteryRelationships and being secure in loveNavigating through our traumasAbout Jaymee Carpenter:Jaymee Carpenter is a highly revered spiritual teacher and psychospiritual counselor based in Ojai, CA, with a background of 13 years of multi-faceted professional experience in the field of addiction and mental health treatment.Homeless and addicted on Los Angeles’s skid row district at the age of 26, Jaymee was gifted an opportunity in 2003 to enter state-funded addiction treatment and utilized the time to reassess and repurpose himself for the benefit of humanity. The result is a man who has since risen from the ashes of his former ignorance into a life and career of unique service, while simultaneously and ceaselessly engaging in comprehensive spiritual exploration.He is a 16-year meditation practitioner and teacher within the oldest lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma), which is his primary source of his own recovery and mental clarity. Jaymee spent 3 years recently as an apprentice to a Lakota shaman, co-facilitating sweat lodge ceremonies for hundreds of participants on sacred land blessed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He is additionally a master-level communicator and storyteller, and one of the world’s great listeners.Follow Jaymee Carpenter on Instagram and check out his podcast, Love is the Author“All of my drudgery and all of the things that formerly hurt are now doorways to connect with people. My Tibetan Buddhist study and practice and immersion, I’m a sucker for the dharma because it has done me so well.” – Jaymee CarpenterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taking us through her 3 near-death experiences, Michelle Clare joins Raghu to talk about the afterlife, mediumship, and finding true purpose.This time on Mindrolling, Michelle and Raghu have a conversation about:Michelle’s experience growing up catholic and praying to saintsMichelle’s first experience connecting to loved ones who have passedNear-death experiences (NDEs) and sensing peace and perfectionHow the religion we believe in will be what we are greeted by in the afterlifeTelepathic communication and the soul’s ability to travelMichelle’s second NDE and meeting Jesus in an operating roomThe parallels between psychedelics and NDEsSoul planning and understanding our dharmaRaghu’s psychic experiences with Neem Karoli BabaOur spirit team and the web of love that supports usIntuition, the gift that each one of us carriesAbout Michelle Clare:Michelle Clare is a certified medium, psychic, energy healer, and life coach. She is guided by spirit and uses her gifts to heal, enlighten, encourage, and inspire others while empowering them to connect to the light within themselves. A three-time near-death experience survivor, she receives messages from loved ones who have crossed over, as well as angels and life guides. Learn more about Michelle’s offerings on her website.“There is a divine orchestration to our time here and the lessons that we learn, and I believe that none of that is accidental.” – Michelle ClareSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we take a look back at a conversation that Raghu had with Gabor Maté about trauma, desire, addiction, and getting honest with ourselves.In this remastered episode, Gabor explores these struggles through the lens of the Hungry Ghost Realm of saṃsāra.To learn more about all six realms of saṃsāra and the Wheel of Life in Buddhist tradition, check out this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Buddhist teacher, David Nichtern: Ep. 168 Awakening from the DaydreamGabor Maté is a renowned speaker and bestselling author. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Gabor worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of four books published in over thirty languages, Gabor is sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship between stress and illness. His latest book, released in 2022, is titled the Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture. In the Realm of Hungry GhostsGabor Maté has been exposed to so many patients suffering from addiction through his work as a doctor in Vancouver, BC, which has one of North America’s worst drug abuse problems. He and Raghu discuss the connection between addiction, in its many forms, and what Buddhist philosophy refers to as the Hungry Ghost Realm.Healing Trauma, Breaking Addiction Gabor talks about the role of trauma in addiction. He shares his own traumatic experiences being a Jew born in Nazi-occupied Hungary. Raghu and Gabor also discuss the ways that trauma and suffering are handed down from parent to child.The Pursuit of Desire In his book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Gabor writes about the drive behind addictions. He and Raghu discuss how the energetic charge behind addiction is more about desire than attainment.Equal Parts Honest and CompassionGabor examines how we can look at ourselves honestly and constructively by practicing compassionate inquiry.Psychology of Spiritual SeekingThe spiritual path is a way to transform some of the wounded natures that we all grow up with. Gabor speaks about this and the risks of spiritual materialism that come along with it.“The hungry ghosts are depicted as these creatures with large empty bellies and small scrawny necks with narrow gullets and small mouths. No matter what they do, they cannot ever fill that emptiness inside, and that relates to me as the realm of addiction.” – Dr. Gabor MatéSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explaining the concept of mirror eye, Loch Kelly chats with Raghu about non-self and effortless mindfulness.Click HERE for some complimentary resources from Loch Kelly to deepen your experiential exploration into Effortless Mindfulness.This week on Mindrolling, Loch and Raghu get into:How mindfulness can be effortlessLoch’s transformative experience in NepalA down-to-earth explanation of no-self or ‘mirror-eye’Sustaining the state of awakeningPsychedelics as treatment for PTSDEgo dissolution and other dimensionsReturning home through mindfulness practiceKarma yoga and realizing our self-interested motivationsA guided meditation from Loch“If you ask someone or take the time to feel the mirror-eye that’s listening to these words, and then feel where is it located in your body. Most people will feel it in the middle of their head behind their eyes. Feel that location and thank it for all its hard work. Appreciate its functionality and ask it for some space and then open to a mindful witness of this mirror eye.” – Loch KellySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Expanding our notions of love to a universal state, ecologist and peace-pilgrim, Satish Kumar, joins Raghu to talk about his new book, Radical Love.Get your copy of Radical Love HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Satish and Raghu journey through these topics:How Gandhi was a great influence on Satish’s lifeLoving people with whom we do not agreeThe ultimate love, knowledge, and heroism we receive from our mothersThe feminine motherly quality we can find in gurusSatish’s experience in the Jain traditionNegative consequences from materialism, consumerism, and the industrial way of lifePollution, global warming, and harm to bio-diversity as our collective karmaWhy everyone should take a Hippocratic oathRemembering we are all human beings and can all practice love as our primary religionScience, gravity, and the capacity to understand the non-physical realityHow love holds together the spiritual worldUnilateral love and not waiting to love another until they love usGandhi’s concept of Sarvodaya, or the uplifting of every living being without exceptionAbout Satish Kumar:Satish Kumar is a peace-pilgrim, ecologist, life-long activist and former monk who has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. A world-renown author and international speaker, Satish founded The Resurgence Trust, an educational charity that seeks to inform and inspire a just future for all. Satish has been the guiding spirit behind several other internationally respected ecological and educational ventures. He co-founded Schumacher College which he continues to serve as a Visiting Fellow. He appears regularly on podcasts and on radio and television shows and continues to teach, run workshops, and write about reverential ecology, holistic education and voluntary simplicity. Check out Satish’s book offerings HERE.“Do no harm to yourself, do no harm to other people, do no harm to nature. That is the Hippocratic oath a doctor takes. I would like to suggest that everybody should take that. Politicians should take that. Scientists should take that. Economists should take that. Business and industrial leaders should take that. Do no harm. If you do no harm to yourself, and you do no harm to other people, and you do no harm to nature, then you can have a more positive karma. The consequence will be a more harmonious relationship, and a more peaceful world, and a better relationship among all humans.” – Satish KumarSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu’s original Mindrolling partner, David Silver, returns for a beautiful homage to the genius of Aldous Huxley.Learn more about Aldous Huxley HEREThis week, David and Raghu talk about:How Aldous Huxley showed Ram Dass and Tim Leary the Tibetan Book of the DeadDavid Silver’s initial reading of Brave New World and the prophecy it heldAldous Huxley’s backgroundHuxley’s Doors of Perception and Heaven and HellHuxley’s perspective on non-dualism and childrenRam Dass’ and Aldous Huxley’s friendshipAldous Huxley’s end-of-life experience with entheogensSystematic reasoning versus direct perceptionThe fear that can arise when we have a mystical experienceThe transformational power of psychedelics in the field of mental healthJim Morrison, The Doors, and Ram DassAbout David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. K.C. Tewari—in the guise of a headmaster of a boys school in the foothills of the Himalayas—was secretly a High Yogi, frequently able to go into altered states of trance, known as Samadhi, at any moment.“I think the greatest compliment that Ram Dass gave him, and it wasn’t an exclamation of any sort, he said Aldous Huxley had a very great relationship with the mystery” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sarah Anderson joins Raghu to explore her new book, The Lost Art of Silence, and how we can reconnect to the beauty of quiet.Get your copy of Sarah’s book HEREIn this episode, Sarah and Raghu delve into:How crucial and nurturing silence can beSarah’s childhood traumaSilence’s relationship to the inner journeySarah’s investigation into the art of silenceSilence as the link between so many religions and traditionsThe way that being quiet makes us a better listenerRaghu’s story of meeting Ram DassHow nature can teach us about silenceThe fear caused from sensory deprivationsBecoming aware of God through silent meditationConcerns for our youth and the loudness of technologyAbout Sarah Anderson:Sarah Anderson founded the Travel Bookshop in London in 1979, the shop later featured in the film Notting Hill. She studied Chinese at the London University college of SOAS, and at Heythrop, where she earned an MA in the psychology of religion. She has taught travel writing at City University, writes regular travel pieces, reviews books, and gives talks worldwide. Also an artist, Sarah’s paintings have been exhibited throughout London. Sarah is the author of several books. Her most recent book, The Lost Art of Silence, celebrates the power in being quiet.“Even in the cacophony of going into the woods, of the birds singing, animals speaking to each other, in that cacophony is a delightful silence. Because the real silence, to me, is that your mind stops turning out this avalanche of thoughts and stories.” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Philosopher, author, and activist Peter Singer joins Raghu to chat about his new book, The Buddhist and the Ethicist.Pick up your copy of Peter Singer’s book HEREThis week on Mindrolling, Peter and Raghu have a comprehensive conversation on:Singer’s coming of age in the 60’sThe background of Venerable Shih Chao-HweiThe ethical outlook of utilitarianismExamining the consequences of our actionsThe problems that come with not thinking about the futureThe Bodhisattva traditionBhakti Yoga and merging with the supreme beingHaving compassion for those that suffer, human and non-humanLooking at theories of human nature and basic goodnessKarma’s compatibility with utilitarianismThe ways that we leave traces in the worldAbout Peter Singer:Peter Singer is an Australian moral philosopher and Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. He also is also an author, and is best known for his writings about poverty and liberating animals. He wrote the book Animal Liberation, in which he argues for vegetarianism and co-founded the Australian Federation of Animal Societies, now Animals Australia, the country’s largest and most effective animal organization. Most recently, he published a book of eye-opening dialogues with Venerable Shih Chao-Hwei, a Taiwanese Buddhist monastic and social activist. Learn more about Peter Singer on his website.“Compassion is one way of looking at how we ought to be thinking about all sentient beings. We ought to be thinking about them with concern for their well-being. When you use the term compassion, at least to westerners, that suggests a feeling, an emotion, something like we might say empathy that we have with them. That’s something that utilitarians would want to encourage because we need to think about what its like for other beings in the various possible states of the world that could result from our doing a variety of things.” – Peter SingerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Indigenous healer Paul Callaghan teaches us about aboriginal wisdom and being a part of the collective story of humanity.Check out Paul’s book, The Dreaming Path, to learn more about contentment, purpose, healing, and reconnecting with your story—and ultimately the universe.In this episode of Mindrolling, Paul and Raghu get into:Aboriginal Dreamtime storiesThe creation myth of mother earthBeing still in nature to receive insightsHow acute anxiety and a mental health crisis lead Paul to a life changeWhy reconnecting to his aboriginal roots lead to Paul’s healing and self-discoveryDefining the dreaming path and promoting individualityHow does relying on nature and living sustainably allow one to slow down?Finding power in unity and getting resources to all peopleExamining whether we add or take away from the collective story of humanitySelf-care and finding out who we really areGoing with the flow of lifeAbout Paul Callaghan:Paul Callaghan is a First Nations custodian in the land now called Australia and a leading Indigenous healer. Paul belongs to the land of the Worimi people which is located on the east coast of Australia about 2 hours north of Sydney, New South Wales. He is an Aboriginal storyteller and dancer. Paul has held a number of senior executive positions in his career and has qualifications in a diverse range of disciplines including surveying, drafting, accounting, economics, training, executive leadership, emotional intelligence, company boards, and executive/organizational coaching. Paul has been ‘going bush’ for many, many years and learning traditional ‘Lore’ from his Elders much of which he is willing to share with those who respect it. Check out Paul’s cultural consulting website to learn more.“We are one thing. We are one. Humans aren’t separate from the trees, aren’t separate from the soil, aren’t separate from the waters. We use this in our western aboriginal medical systems and organizations; our definition of well-being is ‘I can’t be well if everything around me isn’t well’. So that’s non-aboriginal people, that’s my brothers and sisters, that’s everything, and then we’re all well.” – Paul CallaghanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Focusing on the uniqueness of each of our brains, Dr. Nicole Tetreault sits down with Raghu to discuss her book, Insight into a Bright Mind.Get your copy of Dr. Nicole’s book HEREThis week on Mindrolling, Nicole and Raghu go over:Nicole’s devotion to Maharaj-ji and her background in neuroscienceNicole’s research in Parkinsons and AutismHow cancer influenced Nicole’s life course as a scientistFixing models of healing versus bearing witnessComing to terms with death and sufferingImpermanence and remembering to be presentChanging our karmas through shifting into compassionThe definition of neurodiversity and advocatingNeuroplasticity and the capacity for changeHallucinogens and opening a doorway for learningLetting go of our self-critical voiceMirror neurons and empathyThe pros of anxietyThe gut-brain connection and the microbiomeAbout Dr. Nicole Tetreault:Dr. Nicole Tetreault is a compassion-based neuroscientist, international speaker, author, and meditation teacher, fusing ancient Asian meditation with modern neuroscience to support people accessing the vast benefits of wiring their minds for love! Keep up with Dr. Nicole on her website.“A big part of the advocacy around neurodiversity is to say no, different isn’t less, it’s just different, and there are so many beautiful strengths about it.” – Dr. Nicole TetreaultSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nina Rao and Chandra Easton join Raghu to talk about embodying the goddess Tara through chanting.Interested in seeing Nina and Chandra? Here are two upcoming events on the East Coast: Tibet House, NYC, May 11 and Kripalu, MA, May 12-17Raghu, Nina, and Chandra spend this episode discussing:Chandra’s Buddhist upbringingThe deity Tara and the sacred feminineNina and Chandra’s collaboration with chanting and mantrasAn acapella chant offered from NinaTara for harmonyTantra and spirituality for the peopleThe 21 praises to TaraDurga, Saraswati, and other feminine deities we can invoke through mantrasThe eighth Tara as a fierce and invincible embodimentThe mara of doubtAbout Nina Rao:Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Together with Chandra and Genevieve Walker, Nina operates the 21 Taras Collective. You can keep up with Nina on her website or find her on Instagram @nina_rao and on Facebook @NinaRaoChant.About Chandra Easton:Chandra Easton is a teacher, scholar, practitioner, and translator of Tibetan Buddhism. She has taught Buddhism and Hatha Yoga since 2001. In 2015, she was given the title of Vajra Teacher, Dorje Lopön, for Tara Mandala Retreat Center by Lama Tsultrim Allione and H. E. Gochen Sang Ngag Rinpoche. Seeking to bring forth the voice of the empowered feminine in Buddhism, Lopön Chandra regularly leads retreats and classes on Tara for various organizations, develops programs and curricula for Tara Mandala, and teaches nationally and internationally. She has also co-written melodies and recorded music for the twenty-one-Taras mantras found in her new book, Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom. You can find Chandra on Instagram & Facebook @loponchandra.“The main purpose of doing this aspect of the 21 Tara’s practice through chanting and more of a kirtan style is to uplift people, just like kirtan does. To bring joy, open people’s heart to the blessings of these Taras and to Devi and to the universal way. And also to help them remember the mantra, because some of them are pretty long they can be a little challenging to remember.” – Chandra EastonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring the Jewish psychedelic underground, Madison Margolin joins Raghu to talk about Ram Dass, psychedelics and her new book, Exile and Ecstasy.Get your copy of Exile and Ecstasy HEREIn this episode, Raghu and Madison have an expansive discussion about:Madison’s upbringing in the Ram Dass communityInfluences of psychedelic culture and eastern mysticismMadison’s intrinsic connection to her Jewish roots‘Hinjewism’ and honoring multiple traditions at onceThe ways that Madison struggled with the overuse of ‘be here now’Ram Dass’ Jewish legacyHow journalism school enabled Madison to connect orthodox Judaism and psychedelicsJudaism as a container for psychedelic experiencesDiscovering altered states without psychedelicsThe history of the Baal Shem TovTreatment of women in Judaism and the divine feminineHow Rainbow Gathering changed Madison’s lifeAnchoring ourselves through practiceAbout Madison Margolin:“I’m a journalist straddling California, New York, and Israel-Palestine, focused on psychedelics, cannabis, and Judaism (in jest, I’ll say “Jews & Drugs”). I also cover culture, policy, and science. I’m passionate and curious about how people can transcend their minds to access something greater than themselves — be it through getting high off acid or God, meditating, creating art, or something somatic, I’ve set out to explore the various ways people nourish their souls. This is what drives me, and most of my writing, in some way or another, connects back to this theme.These days, I work as an editor at  DoubleBlind, the print and digital magazine I co-founded, covering psychedelics and where they intersect with mental health, spirituality, environmental justice, and social equity. I also co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit and host a podcast called Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network. I’ve been practicing journalism since 2014 and have been published in outlets like Rolling Stone, Vice, Playboy, High Times, Tablet, and Nylon, among others.I got my start with a column on cannabis at the Village Voice, just after graduating from Columbia Journalism School. Prior to that, I lived in Tel Aviv, working with Israel’s African refugee community. In a past life, I also lived at a crazy co-op called Cloyne, while studying rhetoric and linguistics at UC Berkeley.I’m a nerd about language and speak or dabble in French, Russian, Yiddish, and Hebrew. When not working, writing, or reporting, I’m usually dancing, spinning my hula hoop, or practicing yoga.”“Having done psychedelics myself on Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, you realize that Judaism really does offer a container and different rituals, ways of experiencing time, and time out of time, and sort of these psychedelic notions through Kabbalah and different practices. That there is an avenue for altered experience and expanded consciousness and presence of mind and heart and soul, without psychedelics. But, combining psychedelics with Jewish practice can at least wake you up to that so you can then do it on your own, potentially without needing medicine.” – Madison MargolinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus and Duncan Trussell share the story behind their new book, The Movie of Me to the Movie of We. Snag your copy of The Movie of Me to The Movie of WeThis week on Mindrolling, listen to Raghu and Duncan chat about:Spiritual emaciation in a world of excessThe meaning of ‘the movie of me’Pyromania within humanitarianismReflecting on caricatures of the self for brutal self-honestyMeditation and experiencing our true selvesOur inheritance of being humanSpiritual community and moving from student to teacherThe perspective of non-judgement throughout The Movie of Me to the Movie of WeParadoxes of spiritual materialism About Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com. Check out movieofme.com to learn more about the making of The Movie of Me to the Movie of We“We are emaciated. We eat beyond what we can actually take in. We enjoy beyond enjoyment. We despair beyond despair over life’s events and that’s because we are emaciated, which is why we did this book. I think both of us felt emaciated spirituality, emaciated awareness wise.” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a discussion on Buddhism and wellness, author George Pitagorsky joins Raghu to explore his new book, The Peaceful Warrior’s Path.Get your copy of George’s book HEREIn this episode, Raghu and George explore:George’s history with yoga and meditationThe clear canon of Buddhism and Non-dualismCompassion beyond the egoThe continuous dance between the relative and the absoluteCultivating patienceCreating new patterns to replace our habitsHope in neuroplasticity and changing behaviorsWhat is behind witnessingRemaining open to all skillful meansThe current suffering in the worldOpportunities to practice self-awarenessLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Check out this Hanuman statue from the NKB Ashram mentioned by RaghuJoseph Goldstein’s book on MindfullnessAbout George Pitagorsky:George Pitagorsky, PMP, is a master of process who understands the way process, technology and people come together to accomplish objectives. He has advised organizations on the implementation and improvement of project management practices and methodologies. He has extensive experience in the creation and implementation of process improvements in financial, manufacturing, government and professional service environments. He also advises and coaches individuals to help them to achieve and sustain optimal performance. George brings a unique perspective to his work, combining 40 years of meditation practice and teaching with real-world business experience. He is the author of The Zen Approach to Project Management, The Peaceful Warrior’s Path, and more. Learn more about George and his offerings HERE.“Chances are you’re not going to be completely enlightened next week, no matter what you do, though it could happen. So you take on the work of becoming as well as possible. Wellness is the subtitle of this book, and it’s not just about physical wellness. Wellness has got like eight dimensions to it including spiritual, mental, physical, financial, and all of that. Your goal is how can I cultivate wellness, how can I be as well as possible given my condition?” – George PitagorskySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Focusing on the climate crisis, Author Susan Murphy joins Raghu to talk about her new book, A Fire Runs Through All Things.Susan Murphy and Raghu discuss:Susan’s background and growing up in touch with the earthApplying the fierce love and protection of parenthood to the earthSusan’s journey through meditation to zen practiceThe realities of the climate crisis and forest firesOur tendency to ignore and reject discomfortLessons from indigenous eldersA mindfulness practice to connect with the earthSocial action through heartful connectionHow humility and not knowing leaves room for creative solutions“The experience of it, basically it was like a graveyard spread out over enormous swaths of land and burnt hills. All to say is, this is part of our plight, I think, in terms of waking up.” – Raghu MarkusAbout Susan Murphy:Susan Murphy is an Australian Zen teacher whose passionate feeling of kinship with the natural world began dueing her early childhood years living near the Great Barrier Reef and the Gondwanaland rainforest. A successful filmmaker, radio producer, and writer, she received dharma transmission from Ross Bolleter and John Tarrant in 2001. She leads regular retreats around Australia and teaches an Australia-wide sangha that extends internationally online. She is the author of Upside-Down Zen, Minding the Earth Mending the World, Red Thread Zen, and most recently, A Fire Runs Through All Things.“The earth is inviting us to think along with her, or it. That suffering is mutual. The earth is suffering and our suffering, our agreeing to suffer with it, is the earth’s care for us. It will wake us up.” – Susan MurphySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wrapping up 2023, Thanissara and Raghu discuss how we can use mindfulness to relate to and make sense of the times we are living in.Thanissara and Raghu examine these topics:The depth of the illusions we have built our civilization onThe shifts that need to happen to enable us to live sustainablyPolitical positioning and moral stancesBecoming desensitized to the chaos and pain of the worldTaking social action to create a better future for the next generationHow mindfulness can be a huge part of the path forwardBeing receptive to how it is and taking small steps in our practiceFears that can be awakening versus the habit of fearCollectively working on a shift in consciousnessThe sangha as the coming BuddhaLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Dive deeper into Kabir’s book that Raghu recites from for more mystical poetryCheck out The Movie of Me to the Movie of We, the audio-book collaboration between Duncan Trussell and Raghu MarkusAbout Thanissara:Thanissara is a teacher, poet, climate activist, and co-founder of the Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat. She spent 12 years as a Buddhist nun and holds an MA in Core Process Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Practice. Thanissara was a founding member of Chithurst and Amaravati Buddhist Monasteries in England. She helped initiate/support a number of HIV/Aids response projects in deep rural South Africa. In addition, she has facilitated meditation retreats internationally for 30 years. She teaches across the U.S., in South Africa, and the UK. She is the author of several books, including her most recent, Time To Stand Up, A Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth. “We are getting, in a very weird way, conditioned by and inured to all of this climate change, violence, wars, pestilence, all of this. It’s a lot. We are getting inured to it. It is just becoming part of the fabric where we don’t pause the way we paused when it first came out.” – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and spiritual teacher, Hameed Ali, joins Raghu to discuss seeking truth and the boundlessness of our inner consciousness. Raghu and Hameed discuss:How an accident and out of body experience inspired Hameed’s Diamond ApproachHameed’s move from science to spiritualityBasic trust being the fundamental platform for people to go inside of themselvesWorking with others on trustThe boundless dimensions of our inner consciousnessSoul as the one who experiencesThe meaning of non-dual divine loveRaghu’s non-dual experience with Neem Karoli BabaA Jabba the Hutt metaphor to describe greed and disconnectionGeneral versus specific grace and tapping into the miracle of our existenceFocusing on our good nature to improve the state of the world“I wanted the truth, but I wasn’t going to get it through studying matter. I was going to get it by going inward.” – Hameed AliAbout Hameed Ali:Hameed Ali is a writer who operates under the pen name A.H. Almaas. Hameed is the founder of the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization, a contemporary teaching that developed within the context of both ancient spiritual teachings and modern depth psychology theories. He has authored eighteen books about spiritual realization, including the Diamond Heart series, The Pearl Beyond Price, The Void, The Alchemy of Freedom, and Non-Dual Love: Awakening to the Loving Nature of Reality. Hameed is also the founder of the Ridhwan School for Spiritual Development, an inner work school devoted to the realization of True Nature. The orientation of the school is directed toward guiding students to realize their true nature to the fullest realization and further still to endless enlightenment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming together at the 2023 Love and Renewal Retreat, Raghu Markus, Jack Kornfield, Duncan Trussell, and Krishna Das discuss alleviating suffering and finding grace.In this recording from the 2023 Love & Renewal retreat, Raghu, Jack and Duncan, and Krishna Das come together to discuss:Samsara and returning home to familyWorking with cynicismHow depression blocks us into one side of a storyHumor as a coping mechanismPersonal and collective responsibilityThe Bodhisattva vowExploring our own identity and sufferingEmotional PyromaniaLiberating ourselves from the movie of meRam Dass’ lesson on serving others while fixing our own heartAbout Jack Kornfield:Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as. a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. Learn more about Jack at www.jackkornfield.com.“We’re each in a certain mysterious place in this universe, born into this culture, this family, this moment, and so forth. And you can make something beautiful of it, make something better, alleviate suffering, and bring something of benefit. That’s the game. Well why should I do that? Because it brings happiness. There’s nothing that brings more satisfaction than uplifting us all together and letting it come through what’s unique in you.” – Jack KornfieldAbout Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com.“The basic math is first to tend with your own attachments, your identity, or an exploration of your identity potentially being the root of suffering. Then, after that, we can start dealing with saving all sentient beings.” – Duncan TrussellAbout Krishna Das:Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji.Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. For more on Krishna Das events, music, and other offerings visit: KrishnaDas.com----In a world that often feels like it's teetering on the edge, it's not surprising that so many of us grapple with feelings of instability and overwhelm. On Tuesday, December 19th, join acclaimed Buddhist meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Ethan Nichtern for a free online conversation on staying grounded, available, and engaged, even when the world is on fire.Sharon and Ethan will also discuss the upcoming Dharma Moon Yearlong Buddhist Studies program and offer their insights on how studying Buddhism can help us show up more fully for ourselves and others during these challenging times.Visit dharmamoon.com/event for more info and to reserve your free spot!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and his son Noah talk with Joseph Goldstein about the necessity of embracing suffering in order to activate compassion.Raghu, Joseph, and Noah explore these topics:Empathy and compassion for global sufferingFixing your own heart in order to offer compassion to othersLessons from Tsoknyi Rinpoche on “California Compassion”Checking in with our motivations and intentionsThe tendency to avoid sufferingHow a willingness to look at suffering is a precursor to compassionRenunciation and the willingness to let go of our own comfortReminding ourselves that it is okay to feel the unpleasantUsing suffering to learn something meaningfulThe suffering that comes along with agingMeditating on the our finitenessA guided Mudita practice with Joseph“Compassion arises when we’re willing to come close to suffering. That’s the cause for compassion, and if we don’t have that willingness, it’s not going to arise because the compassion is in response to the suffering in the world, in other people, even in ourselves.” – Joseph Goldstein----In a world that often feels like it's teetering on the edge, it's not surprising that so many of us grapple with feelings of instability and overwhelm. On Tuesday, December 19th, join acclaimed Buddhist meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Ethan Nichtern for a free online conversation on staying grounded, available, and engaged, even when the world is on fire.Sharon and Ethan will also discuss the upcoming Dharma Moon Yearlong Buddhist Studies program and offer their insights on how studying Buddhism can help us show up more fully for ourselves and others during these challenging times.Visit dharmamoon.com/event for more info and to reserve your free spot!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reflecting on memories with Ram Dass, musician David Block joins Raghu to talk about interconnectivity, generosity, and The Great Way.David's single “The Great Way” featuring Ram Dass is AVAILABLE NOW: Click To ListenIn this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu Markus and David Block discuss:Music and mantrasThe transactional nature of the world and noticing our interconnectionDavid’s relationship with Ram DassServing others instead of self-obsessionDavid’s process of creating a track for the Love Serve Remember VinylComplete attention as the greatest gift you can offer anotherThe beauty of being in the moment instead of analyzing the momentWelcoming our struggles and accepting our inner demonsHow being silent will lead us to presence and changes in perspectiveReminding ourselves of the mantra “I am loving awareness”“There was no Richard Alpert and no Ram Dass; we were just in this wonderful pool of molecular interconnection. And all I felt was, ‘How can you help me’. It was all about me. Nobody had paid that kind of attention. Do you know how important that is? Paying attention to somebody? It is paramount generosity.” – Raghu MarkusAbout David Block:David Block is a live electronic composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. The Human Experience is David Block’s principal project, wherein a delicious symphonic blend of prismatic soundscapes and sultry beats can be experienced. David is also a member of the band Gone Gone Beyond where he delivers a potent message of hope and the desire to return to humanity.Links & Recommendations From this Episode:Check out The Movie of Me to the Movie of We, an audio-book collaboration between Duncan Trussell and Raghu MarkusGet your copy of Love Serve Remember’s anniversary vinyl featuring music from The Human ExperienceListen to Ram Dass read The Third Chinese PatriarchLearn to relate to the darkness we all face in the book Feeding Your Demons suggested by RaghuSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan Trussell returns to Mindrolling to talk about transporting oneself out of the movie of me and into the movie of we.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Duncan Trussell get into:Writing, producing, directing, and acting in the movie of our own livesBeing born againSitting around the fire as a metaphor for deep connectionHonesty and being ‘a fake’Transactional relationships and holding emotional debt against peopleThe fraudulent activities of the EgoGratitude giving birth to patienceFocusing on others and being in the spirit of the BuddhaRam Dass’ lesson on moving from the head to the heartThe deep seeded fear of interconnectionBoundaries within generosityTransforming our identity from me to weLiberating ourselves through brutal self-honestySnag your copy of Raghu and Duncan’s new book The Movie of Me to The Movie of We“We have an ability to be honest with ourselves, tremendously honest with ourselves. So, all of the fakery, all of the stuff that has any vestiges of manipulation or rampant desire or pushing things away, whatever it may be, there is an honesty there to really understand the motivations and the pain and the suffering and not get lost in the fraud. Honesty allows you to not get lost in the fraudulent activity of the ego.” – Raghu MarkusAbout Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindfulness teacher Oren Jay Sofer sits with Raghu to discuss keeping our hearts open through difficult times.In this episode, Raghu Markus and Oren Jay Sofer talk about:Oren’s path to mindfulnessThe influence of Vipassana MeditationHow mindfulness can be a resource to navigate the horrors of global conflictExpanding the capacity of our heartsThe potential that human beings have to move beyond ourselvesThe challenges we are currently faces as a speciesCompassion and the route to a better worldFamily and the importance of relationshipsHow the company we keep affects our spiritual practiceThe way that individual change can impact societyEcology and the abuse of earthYugas, cosmology, and building a future through our daily choicesSangha and witnessing another human being’s healingStories from experiences with MunindrajiThe importance of joy and gratitudeHow self-centeredness is being encouraged and exploited by technologyCourage and the willingness to be vulnerableA brief guided meditation around ease“Our hearts were made to flourish. We are born with these immense capacities and this beautiful potential to contribute and grow and flower as human beings, if we receive the right nourishment and if we know how to water those seeds.” – Oren Jay SoferAbout Oren Jay Sofer:Oren teaches mindfulness, meditation and Nonviolent Communication in secular and Buddhist contexts. Oren is also the founder and Guiding Teacher of Next Step Dharma, an innovative online course focused on bringing the tools of meditation to daily life, and co-founder of Mindful Healthcare. He is a CNVC Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication, and visiting teacher at the Insight Meditation Society. You can order your copy of Oren Jay Sofer's new book, Your Heart Was Made For This, on his website. Check our Oren’s recent blog post about allowing the heart to open and close during difficult times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pairing science and mysticism, Astrobiologist Dr. Bruce Damer visits Mindrolling for a sweeping discussion on the interconnected nature of the world.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Dr. Bruce Damer dig into:Interconnected fields within natureGroup connection and relationshipPatterned memory in spaceAncestral memories, spirit, and the research of phenomenaBecoming the experience and playing with thought experimentsAlbert Einstein and scientific mysticismCollective intelligence and receiving downloadsThe operating system of the living worldRam Dass, Neem Karoli Baba, and mystical storiesMoving beyond the logical mind and tapping into possibilitiesGroup field as the antidote to separation, fear, and anxietyThe efficacy of psychedelic medicineThe revealing that comes after individual healingDr. Bruce Damer’s experience on AyahuascaDeath writing the code of lifeEmbodiment and the ‘gooeyness’ of being human About Dr. Bruce Damer:Dr. Bruce Damer is Chief Scientist at BIOTA Institute, UC Santa Cruz. He is an astrobiologist working on the science of life’s origins, spacecraft design, psychedelics and genius. Dr. Bruce has spent his life pursuing two great questions: how did life on Earth begin, and how can we give that life (and ourselves) a sustainable pathway into the cosmos? A decade of scientific research with his collaborator Prof. David Deamer at the UC Santa Cruz Department of Biomolecular Engineering resulted in the Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life published in the journal Astrobiology in 2019. Dr. Damer also has a long career working with NASA on mission simulation and design and recently co-developed a spacecraft to utilize resources from asteroids. You can keep up with Dr. Bruce Damer on Twitter.“The common ancestor of all life is not a little, individual, primitive cell that is duking it out alone in the universe. It is actually a communal mass that is a body in growth, a body in adaptation.” – Dr. Bruce DamerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Philanthropist Jeff Walker meets with Raghu Markus to discuss the emerging knowledge of psychedelics and energy work in the healthcare field.In this episode, Jeff and Raghu traverse these topics:Jeff’s journey from the financial world into mindfulness practiceApplying mindfulness and spirituality to the business worldThe efficacy of meditation as a healing practicePsychedelic therapies from the 70’s to the modern ageMusic and flow statesCommunity and the ‘we’ instead of the ‘me’Subtle energy and biofield healing practicesRemote healing and cancer researchChakras, Ayurveda, Sound healing and energy workBeing addicted to the experience of psychedelicsDeveloping trust into connectivity and intuitionFinding your Sangha and having trusting relationshipsSharing in happiness and sympathetic joyPsychedelic Health EquityTrauma from migration and meeting basic needsPolitical concerns, decriminalization, and the need for good therapistsLinks & Recommendations from this episode:Check out The System Catalysts podcast for more from Jeff Walker and other change-makers\About Jeff Walker:Jeff Walker is Chairman of New Profit, a social change investment fund and is Vice Chair in the WHO/CHAP Venture focused on frontline health. He also currently serves on the boards of the African Philanthropy Forum, Just Capital, UVA Center for Contemplative Sciences (where he is chair), Giving Tuesday, the Aspen Management Partnership for Health, and the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where he was president for 10 years. He is a Partner in Bridge Builders investment fund for Mindful Wellness. Walker co-authored the book The Generosity Network, about new approaches to gather resources to address causes each of us are passionate about. He also received the John C. Whitehead Award for Social Enterprise from the Harvard Business School Club of New York City. He is currently teaching, researching, and writing on the issue of systems entrepreneurship and systems change.“With psychedelics we’ve set up collaboration around psychedelic health equity. We have a number of people in some foundations working on this question: how do we make sure that if the MDMA is authorized by the FDA, which it should be next year, that people who are in the city and people who have high ACEs scores and people who are of color and have no income, will be able to access it?” – Jeff Walker----Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern. With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others.Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation on the four Yugas.This week on Mindrolling, David and Raghu look into:The four Hindu Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapara, Kali)How consciousness changes with the Yugas and vice versaOur current place in the Kali YugaThe White Buffalo Vision and similarities between religionsThe way our actions can manifest in the YugasThe four worlds spoken of by the HopiThe world events within this age of darknessGrief for the Israeli-Hamas conflictElon Musk, space travel, and how those with advanced abilities still need spiritualityStories of Yogananda, KC Tewari, and Neem Karoli BabaWhy exploring the Yugas can expand our consciousnessCoupling reincarnation with the YugasKirtan, Mantra, and navigating Kali Yuga with spiritual practiceHow remembering the Yugas can remind us of our connection to a bigger pictureDavid Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation on the four Yugas.“If you couple the Yugas with the dynamic of reincarnation, you can see redemption for the chains from this incarnation, this sheath, to another one and progress in that way.” – David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindfully infused with various Buddhist skills, this episode features a dialogue between Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Raghu Markus on the many opportunities for practice in our daily lives.This time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Tenzin Palmo explore:Tenzin Palmo’s earliest experiences of connecting to The BuddhaThe imminence of deathTenzin’s Book, Reflections on a Mountain LakeWhat perfection is and how we can realize itTenzin’s journey to the guru in IndiaWomen on the path of BuddhismThe process of starting a nunneryNon-self, the ego, and Becoming nobodyRecommendations from the BuddhaTaming the mindStarting with ourselves when we cultivate compassionThe six paramitas (perfections) of the Bodhisattva pathOpportunities for practice in our daily livesDeath, letting people go, and expressing loveSpirituality as a path of joyA brief mindfulness meditation“During our daily life, we have so much opportunity to practice. To practice being generous, to practice being patient in the face of other people's problems, the opportunity to keep pure ethical conduct and never harm or lie or cause any problems for others. During our day, we have these endless opportunities for practicing these qualities of the heart, so we should be grateful because sitting on a cushion is not an opportunity really to practice being generous, ethical, or patient.” – Tenzin PalmoAbout Tenzin Palmo:Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She is best known for having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat.Links & Recommendations From this Episode:Pick up your copy of Tenzin Palmo’s Reflections on a Mountain Lake or one of her other works HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an expansive discussion around Steve Kanji Ruhl’s book, Appalachian Zen, Steve and Raghu explore finding equilibrium through zen practice.“In Buddhism, the true home is that place within each of us, it’s an inner heartland. We can call it original Buddha Nature; it is accessible to all of us anytime and any place. It’s really a matter of finding this inner equilibrium and being in this moment, in this place, and being fully alive.” – Steve Kanji RuhlIn this episode, Raghu Markus and Steve Kanji Ruhl discuss:Cultural Transformation in AppalachiaSteve Kanji’s experience of violence and PTSDZen practice and finding our inner equilibriumEnduring a soul injury and the journey of healingThe teachers that shape us for better or worseMeeting Ram Dass and receiving sanctuaryThe concept of home and the path as the guruHolding self and other simultaneouslyZazen meditation practiceLiving deliberately and obstructions of the willBalancing intention with surrenderBreaking down the conditioning that prevents us from being clear, kind, and presentDirect identification and Tantric intimacyCommunity as the antidote of dysfunctional solitudeAbout Steve Kanji Ruhl:Reverend Steve Kanji Ruhl, M.Div., is an innovative Zen Buddhist minister ordained in the Zen Peacemaker Order by Roshi Bernie Glassman, and is also a lay Zen dharma holder and preceptor authorized by Roshi Eve Myonen Marko. Formerly affiliated with Green River Zen Center in western Massachusetts where he helped to teach and assisted Roshi Eve, he now operates independently, teaching Zen students in person and through his Touch the Earth cyber-sangha to “be clear, be kind, be present” through instruction in koans, ethical precepts, and shikantaza (“just sitting”) meditation. Also a multi-published author, Steve Kanji Ruhl was awarded the Gold Prize for Best Spiritual Memoir in the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards for his book, Appalachian Zen: Journeys in Search of True Home, from the American Heartland to the Buddha Dharma.Get your copy of Appalachian Zen or one of Steve Kanji Ruhl’s other books HEREDiscover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern. With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others.Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bringing indigenous wisdom into modernity, Italian writer Danielle Bolelli joins Raghu to talk about quality and restoring balance with the natural world.“We need that wisdom, indigenous wisdom. We need to bring back something that we have lost from our move into the industrialized last couple of centuries.” – Raghu MarkusThis time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Daniele Bolelli converse about:Wisdom from Native American eldersThe balance with natureMoney and power strugglesCapitalism, Marketing, and what makes something successfulThe constant urge for more versus usefulness of resourcesWhat gives something qualityThe history of Crazy Horse, an extremely spiritual Lakota warriorAnswering to hopelessnessContentment and small disciplineThe promise of potential and handling sufferingLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Raghu and Danielle discuss quality through the lens of Zen and The Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceDanielle suggests checking out the show Reservation Dogs to get a glimpse of real native lifeCheck out Danielle’s historical podcast, History on FireRaghu Suggests reading Altered Traits by Daniel GolemanAbout Danielle Bolelli:Danielle Bolelli is an Italian writer, philosopher, and professor of comparative religion. Currently living in Los Angeles, Danielle Bolelli is also a martial artist and podcaster. Learn more about Danielle Bolelli and his published works as well as his suggested reading list on Daniellebolelli.com.“There is something to be said about the ability to just find that spot where external reality doesn’t affect you so bad in any situation.” – Daniele BolelliSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diving into treasured memories, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Krishna Das, and Raghu Markus explore the ways that the guru can move through a family.Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts Organization invite you to open your mind, open your heart, and tap into the living truth of Alan Watts and Ram Dass. Learn more about this special 4-week Virtual Course:"The Presence of the Way: The Dharma of Alan Watts and Ram Dass"In this episode from The 2023 Summer Mountain Retreat, Raghu Markus, Krishna Das, and Lama Tsultrim Allione explore:Being taken care of by the guruThe myth and magic of Maharaj-jiHealing traumatic relationshipsStories of Raghu & Krishna Das’ parents in IndiaThe transformations that came from meeting Maharaj-jiHow the guru moves through the familyLama Tsultrim Allione’s story of becoming a monkHow our entire family can be changed by our individual devotionTales of Dzogchen Master, Adzom Paylo RinpocheThe fierce grace of the guruBreaking the wheel of abuse “The guru is a physical embodiment of awakeness, of full awakeness.” – Lama Tsultrim AllioneAbout Lama Tsultrim Allione:Lama Tsultrim Allione is the bestselling author of Women of Wisdom (1984), Feeding Your Demons (2008), and Wisdom Rising Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine (2018). Lama Tsultrim is the founder of Tara Mandala, a 700-acre retreat center with the three-story temple and library dedicated to the divine feminine in the Buddhist tradition near Pagosa Springs, in southwest Colorado. She leads a vibrant international community with over forty groups around the world. Learn more about Lama Tsultrim Allione’s work at Tara Mandala“When we recognize the things we have done to ourselves, what our own karmas have impelled us to do and our own upbringing and we see how helpless we are, then we look at other people, even people who have supposedly hurt us, and we see they are also pushed around by their own karmas. That’s when we get some compassion. ” – Krishna DasAbout Krishna Das:Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji.Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.For more on Krishna Das events, music, and other offerings visit: KrishnaDas.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zach Leary, the host of the MAPS podcast, shares a conversation with Raghu about Ram Dass’ significant impact on the scientific exploration of psychedelics.This episode was originally recorded on the MAPS podcast.Two cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts Organization invite you to open your mind, open your heart, and tap into the living truth of Alan Watts and Ram Dass. Learn more about this special 4-week Virtual Course:"The Presence of the Way: The Dharma of Alan Watts and Ram Dass" In this special MAPS feature on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Zach Leary discuss:Ram Dass’ ability to describe the ephemeralThe burgeoning scientific research on psychedelicsThe story of Neem Karoli Baba and LSDFinding a way to extend the psychedelic state into everyday lifeSelfish Altruism and the personal benefit of serviceMethods to experience GodHow we can remember the divinity within all of usHeartfulness, Loving Kindness, and Being Here NowThe first steps to starting a mindfulness practiceUpcoming Psychedelic SummitsNourishing our awe and wonder day-to-dayNeuroscience and changing our habitual patterns“Psychedelics give you a glimpse. We are connected. We are not separate. There is something; we can’t name it, but I completely experienced it.” – Raghu MarkusLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Dive into the recently re-released book LSD, written by Richard Alpert and Sidney Cohen, with unique illustrations by Lawrence SchillerWatch Dying to Know to learn more about Ram Dass and Timothy LearyAbout Zach Leary: Zach is a speaker, writer, Dharmic realizer, and psychedelic advocate. He is also a journey facilitator at Evolution Retreats and Heroic Path to Light. Zach hosts the MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) Podcast where he explores an incredible treasure trove of audio archives sourced from the amazing talks, presentations, and panels that have taken place at past Psychedelic Science conferences and other unique events.Keep up with Zach on Instagram“Ram Dass didn’t stop doing psychedelics entirely. I think it’s just he found a way to (instead of going up and down) make it a lateral exploration. If you are doing this intense Sadhana and have a deep connection to spirit outside of psychedelics, it makes the use of it much more gentle.” – Zach LearySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grief literary advocate Stephen Jenkinson connects with Raghu for a thought-provoking conversation on palliative care and dying wise.In this episode, Stephen Jenkinson and Raghu Markus peruse:The importance of storytelling and the human voiceFinding an alternative outlet for divinityExistential fear and dying wiseMoral and ethical dilemmas within the healthcare systemWhat constitutes care and the many gaps in medical practice wisdomMedical assistance in dying to relieve sufferingWhy limits and endings give life meaningThe wisdom and belonging of sadnessBargaining for more time instead of examining the quality of timeA better way to relate to the transition of life into deathThe idea of being ‘too late’ and the consequences of our perceptionsHope as a mortgage on life and the certainties we falsely rely onDeath as a deity that we should accommodateTwo cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts Organization invite you to open your mind, open your heart, and tap into the living truth of Alan Watts and Ram Dass. Learn more about this special 4-week Virtual Course:"The Presence of the Way: The Dharma of Alan Watts and Ram Dass"“I think if we cultivated a capacity to be sad we would make enormous headroads into our propensity for fear. I think sadness is an absolutely compelling and legitimate alternative but it needs at least as much tuition as fear does. You have to learn to be afraid, obviously, and you have to learn sadness as well.” – Stephen JenkinsonAbout Stephen Jenkinson:Stephen Jenkinson is a cultural activist, international teacher, and author. He is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School and has Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work). Apprenticed to a master storyteller when a young man, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families. He is the former program director in a major Canadian hospital and former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school. Stephen is also a sculptor and traditional canoe builder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Facing the truth of death, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus delve into compassion, surrender, and self-less love.This time on mindrolling, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus ponder:Soul and the Depth of CharacterRoshi Joan’s relationship with Ram DassKindness and Love across all spiritual traditionsTransforming from the we to the meHolding a loving space in the face of deathFundamental impermanence as an ultimate truthA.I., predictive responses, and a pseudo-realitySurrender, Joy, and starting practices early in lifeAwareness of one’s motivations and self-interestsRam Dass and opening up the path of loveA Buddhist story on facing the truth of old age, sickness and deathAcknowledging the past and honoring our ancestors“All of us little human beings, we grip onto this small-self identity that gives us a sense of security, but all of that will be let go of as we meet death and certainly if we let go into authentic love.” – Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.Are you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:Hawaii Community FoundationCanadian Red CrossLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Check out Roshi Joan Halifax’s new contemplative card deckTo further the discussion on death and mindfulness, pick up a copy of Roshi Joan Halifax’s book, Being with DyingLearn more about joining The Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at the Upaya Zen CenterAbout Roshi Joan Halifax:Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. is a Buddhist teacher, Founder and Head Teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a social activist, author, and in her early years was an anthropologist at Columbia University (1964-68) and University of Miami School of Medicine (1970-72). She is a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. She has lectured on the subject of death and dying at many academic institutions and medical centers around the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learning how to love our enemies and surpass hatred, Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman, and Raghu Markus talk about doing the work required to transform our lives and bring love into the world.“It’s out of compassion for ourselves in a way that we think, ‘what would it be not to just have this habitual relationship to anger, like it’s the only source of strength? Can I actually explore the domains of love and compassion as a source of strength?’.” – Sharon SalzbergIn this episode, we hear Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman and Raghu Markus discuss:Memories of Maui and prayers for LahainaLoving our Enemies no matter what they may doSelf-love and the instinct to obliterate the selfRemodeling our concept of love to be more empoweringCreating more harmony in our livesHaving motives to practiceWhy we should relish in the opportunity to be around our enemiesThe antidote to fearGiving in versus not being controlled/obsessed with the actions of othersThe self-destruction of hatred and internalizing our enemiesTough love and fierce compassionBuddha and teachings on loveInsightful Patience and redeeming wordsNeem Karoli Baba and the power behind loveAre you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:Hawaii Community FoundationCanadian Red CrossLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Love Your Enemies 10th Anniversary Re-Release from Sharon and RobertAbout Robert Thurman:Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. His new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, is now available.“Hatred particularly seems to give someone who feels frightened and in a weak position, seems to give them the illusion of being stronger in the position by being enraged…it is actually like an addiction; it pretends to make better, but it actually ruins you.” – Robert ThurmanAbout Sharon Salzberg:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness.Her forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond.Learn more about Sharon and pre-order her new book at www.sharonsalzberg.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Austin joins Gagan (Jared) Levy and Raghu Markus in a discussion about the origins of psychedelics in Western culture.Together, they delve into the third wave of psychedelics and explore methods to enhance their effects through practices like microdosing and spirituality. In this episode , Paul Austin, Gagan (Jared) Levy, and Raghu explore:Paul Austin’s Calvinistic upbringingCannabis, rebellion, and having awe-inspiring experiences with psychedelicsMoving from atheism to spiritualityPsychedelic literacy and paradigm shiftsHeroic ingestion of hallucinogens versus microdosingHaving the right set and setting when using psychedelicsPropaganda and the western lineage with plant medicineThe Eleusinian MysteriesLSD and the cultural context of the 1960’sThe internet and computers as a result of psychedelicsIndigenous roots and a remembrance of the primal selfTrip-sitting and being a guide through the psychedelic experienceIntention & presence as a critical part of microdosingThe necessary spiritual practices for psychedelic integrationAbout Paul Austin:Paul Austin, the founder of Third Wave, is an entrepreneur, author, and coach, who sees psychedelic use as a skill, cultivated through clear intention, supportive mentorship, and courageous exploration. Mastering this skill is crucial in the story of humanity’s present-future evolution. Read more about the third wave of psychedelics on Thirdwave.co and keep up with Paul on Instagram.“If there was one thing I could focus on, it would be psychedelic literacy. If we could pull one lever that would help us to address and adapt to our current context and situation, it would be amplifying the power of psychedelics to not only heal but transform our relationship with our environment. And in that help us to create a new paradigm then instead of being rooted in separation, instead it is rooted in interconnectedness.” – Paul AustinAbout Gagan (Jared) Levy:As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, he leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just and prosperous for all. As a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation. “We live in that age where there is that performance enhancement side of microdosing and there’s kind of that cumulative effect of healing past trauma, but then there’s this other part of psychedelics - which is the divine.” – Gagan (Jared) LevySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, contemplative scientist Cortland Dahl and Raghu Markus discuss the Tibetan Buddhist perspective of a healthy mind and how to transition from rumination to exploration.In this conversation, Cortland Dahl and Raghu chat about:Cortland Dahl’s journey to mindfulness practiceYongey Mingyur Rinpoche and loving the worldBeing Human, meditation, and coping with anxietyEmbracing and Exploring the nature of our mindsLanguage Immersion and translating Tibetan textsThe story of Asanga and the Buddha NatureTransformation through compassionate actionWise-selfishness and looking at our motivationsTurning the narrative mind into a new directionGamma Oscillations and the ‘aha’ momentThe practice of non-referential compassionIntersections between science and mindfulnessLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Raghu and Cortland talk about the book: In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur RinpocheLearn more about Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on Tergar.orgCheck out The Center for Healthy Minds and discover the fusion of science and mindfulnessDownload the Healthy Minds app for a guide to well-beingWhy We Meditate by Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi RinpocheAbout Cortland Dahl:Cortland is interested in exploring the interface between the body, mind and brain, and especially in the question of how various forms of meditation may help us cultivate positive qualities like mindfulness, compassion and resilience. His current work focuses on studying the psychological and neural mechanisms of different families of meditation practice. He is also the creator of the Healthy Minds program, a well-being training program that integrates insights from scientific research with a comprehensive path of contemplative training.Cortland has an eclectic background and has spent years studying and practicing meditation in Asia, including eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in India and Nepal. He has published numerous collections of translations of classic works on meditation and Buddhist philosophy from the Tibetan tradition. In addition to his work with the Center, Cortland is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tergar International, a global network of meditation groups and centers.Learn more at hminnovations.org“Instead of ruminating about our stressful day, we’re exploring the dynamics of our inner experience; and we just start to discover things the were always there, but we just hadn’t seen. The narrative and the conditioning just hadn’t been directed in that way.” – Cortland DahlSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu shares a conversation with Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN about climate crisis and our interconnection with all things.In this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Susan Bauer-Wu talks about her work as a teacher, clinician, and academic researcher and discusses the public meeting between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg that inspired her new book – A Future We Can Love.In this episode, Susan Bauer-Wu and Raghu speak about:Our interconnection with the natural world and all thingsThe need for humanity to move into better balance with our environmentHis Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public chat about climate crisis with Greta Thunberg – an inspiration for Susan’s new book, A Future We Can LoveRaising awareness about climate change within spiritual and faith-based communitiesLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:His Holiness the Dalai Lama In Conversation with Greta Thunberg and Leading ScientistsMind & Life InstituteThe Loka Initiative | Center for Healthy MindsIt Can’t Happen Here by Frank Zappa“Just imagine that we are these, these gems, these jewels, and in it, we are reflecting all the other gems that we’re connected to that in the universe that every single one of us is part of this. I just imagine these beautiful, you know, sparkling web of all of us that we’re not we are all we are who we are because of each other and we can’t, we don’t, exist in isolation.” – Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RNAbout Susan Bauer-Wu:Susan Bauer-Wu is a warm and gifted teacher with a distinctive background as a meditation practitioner and teacher, clinician, and academic researcher, is the president of the Mind & Life Institute. Prior to her recent appointment at Mind and Life, she was the Kluge Professor of Contemplative End-of-Life Care and director of the Compassionate Care Initiative at the University of Virginia (UVa) School of Nursing and associate faculty in the UVa Department of Religious Studies and member of the UVa Contemplative Sciences Center. Besides many academic publications, Susan is the author of the book for the lay public, Leaves Falling Gently: Living Fully with Serious and Life-Limiting Illness through Mindfulness, Compassion, & Connectedness.For Susan Bauer Wu’s dharma talks, click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bestselling author Carol Sanford and Gagan (Jared) Levy sit down with Raghu Markus for an insightful conversation about transforming our cultural perception of death and infusing consciousness into all aspects of life.“What’s really needed right now is a major culture shift around how we look at death and know overall, it’s like we’re afraid to talk about it. It’s the one thing we all share that we’re all marching towards. We’re all walking each other home, yet we don’t talk about it.” – Gagan LevyIn this episode, Raghu and his guests discuss:Opening up our worldview by recognizing the paradigms that are in placeThe concepts of conscious living and conscious dyingTransforming the way we think and talk about the stages of dyingBringing mindfulness into the workplaceLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, translated by Sogyal RinpocheThe Regenerative Business & No More Gold Stars from Carol SanfordAbout Carol Sanford:Carol Sanford is a consistently recognized disruptor and contrarian working side by side with Fortune 500 and new economy executives in designing and leading systemic business change and design. Through her university and in-house educational offerings, global speaking platforms, best-selling multi-award-winning books, and human development work, Carol works with executive leaders who see the possibility to change the nature of work through developing people and work systems that ignite motivation everywhere.Learn more at carolsanford.comAbout Gagan (Jared) Levy:As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, he leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just and prosperous for all. As a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation. Learn more at WEAREGURUSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Andy Karr invites us to look into the mirror, speaking with Raghu about why it is so essential for each of us to develop the habits of self-reflection and mindfulness practice.In this week’s episode, Raghu speaks with Andy about:The themes of self-reflection, applied mindfulness and cultivating a personal practice that are explored in Andy’s newest book, Into The MirrorAndy’s connection to Ram Dass, Buddhism and his study under Chögyam Trungpa‘Crazy wisdom’ and the teachings of Chögyam TrungpaThe importance of holding a personal practice of some sort, and what that offers to our lives“There is no substitute, in my mind, for just developing the habit of practicing. I think alongside of that is perspective, because you see yourself and then it goes back to mindfulness. You see your resistance, your fear, your boredom, whatever it might be.” – Andy KarrLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen HerrigelCrazy Wisdom by Chögyam TrungpaWhy We Meditate by Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi RinpocheSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the 500th episode of the podcast, Mindrolling co-founder David Silver and old friend Danny Goldberg return!In this special episode, the group reflects on the question, “Are we living in the darkest hour of a dark age?” and explores different sources of light that can guide us through the darkness.In this episode, the group talks about:Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s belief that our era of human history is “the darkest hour of the Dark Ages”Looking towards spirituality and religion for the answers to humanity’s biggest problemsRam Dass and Alan Watts – and the theme of interconnectedness found at the heart of their teachingsPolitics, polarization and the manifestations of darkness that each generation must face"I think we have to look towards spirituality and religion for the answers to try to mediate unbridled materialism, which we know is a death trap." - Danny GoldbergLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:“In Search of the Lost Chord: 1967 and the Hippie Idea” by Danny GoldbergKesha’s new album Gag Order, with a track featuring Ram DassThe Beatles – All You Need Is Love (Broadcast live on BBC’s Our World)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South African Shaman John Lockley returns to the Mindrolling podcast to share his experiences as a Sangoma in the Xhosa tradition and speak with Raghu about bringing indigenous wisdom into the modern world and opening the doors of our perception.In this episode, Raghu speaks with John Lockley about:Different methods for opening the doors of one’s own perceptionHow plant medicine is used in the Xhosa traditionShamanism as a path for exploring the ineffable experiences had through inner work and psychedelicsWorking with dreams and the spirit realm“The next part of the circle is going into the wilderness and seeing what needs to be done to stretch consciousness and help bring more healing. To maintain some mindfulness is extraordinarily important, which includes meditation and walking.” – John LockleyLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Sharon Salzberg’s new book, Real LifeJohn Lockley’s NewsletterShift Network Courses (new course with John Lockley coming soon)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tim Burkett joins Raghu to chat about his journey and the lessons along the way of writing his book, Enlightenment Is an Accident.Tim joins Raghu to shine light on:Stories of studying zen with Suzuki Roshi The various perceptions of the term, “enlightenment”“Idiot compassion,” spiritual bypassing, and authentic generosity The amygdala’s role in our behavior The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, and manifesting non-dual feelingCheck out Enlightenment Is an Accident hereExplore Suzuki Roshi’s books hereAbout Tim Burkett:Tim Burkett began practicing Zen Buddhism in San Francisco in 1964 with renowned teacher Shunryu Suzuki (author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind). After completing his BA at Stanford University, Tim and his family moved to Minnesota.Tim’s first book, Nothing Holy About It, discusses how Zen’s core teachings unfold within the ordinary comedies and tragedies of everyday life. In his books, as in his life, Tim reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing the work and play of this very moment.Tim is the former CEO of the largest non-profit organization in Minnesota for individuals with mental illness. He is a psychologist, a Zen Buddhist priest, and the Guiding Teacher of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. He and his wife, Linda, have two grown children and two grandchildren.“Compassion begins with embracing the flaws of others. Healing begins with embracing our flaws.” - Tim BurkettSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Sylver Quevedo and Raghu jam on psychedelic preparation and integration, the MAPS MDMA studies, a Ram Dass ketamine story in India, and how 'love, serve, remember' connects to Indigenous wisdom.“One of the cardinal features that's been learned in the second psychedelic renaissance in the clinical trials has been the importance of two things that were not really understood that well in the 1960s—that is, preparation and integration. By contrast, one of the things that really was discovered early on and articulated very well by Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, was the importance of 'set and setting.' That has survived. It was figured out early on, never went away, and has been rediscovered over and over again.” – Dr. Sylver Quevedo Raghu and Sylver dive into:Taos, New Mexico; the Pueblo people; and the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Taos which houses the radiant and emotive Hanuman murti who jumped the ocean from India with Ram Dass and friends back in the day Working with MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) on their monumental MDMA for PTSD trials Psychedelics and love in the 1960s compared to psychedelics and science in the 2020s Ram Dass giving the "yogi medicine" LSD to his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji) How Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji's lessons of "love, serve, remember" applies to Indigenous wisdom The transformational neural-plasticity and heart-opening properties of tryptamines and phenethylamines A fascinating Ram Dass on ketamine in India story, and Sylver's out-of-body revelation on ketamine"In the 1960s, we were mostly young and naive kids. But on the other hand, the ideals that came through there were real, even if we were misguided and naive about a lot of things like psychedelics. Now that science is part of the reality, in terms of the truth: the love and unity that we were pursing in the 1960s was a worthy cause." – Raghu MarkusAbout Dr. Sylver Quevedo:Dr. Sylver Quevedo is a psychedelic researcher who has practiced medicine for over 40 years and played major roles in world health projects. He is currently working with MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) on their monumental MDMA for PTSD trials. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian, Mike Finoia, joins Raghu to share his difficult patch with mental health and the tools that have helped him cultivate inner peace.“I realized that there’s only two ways of operating: It’s either from a place of love or a place of fear. If you're operating from a place of fear, you really can’t be open to the love there is around us. But if you’re operating from a place of love, fear doesn’t stand a chance.” – Mike FinoiaMike and Raghu go deep about:Anxiety and finding the tools that work to manage itBeing vocal about the rough patches on Mike's public platformPractices for changing our internal landscapesBuddhist perspectives on anger, fear, good-enoughness, and emptinessHaving a sense of humor about our “self-cherishing”"Mother recognition," or the essence of motherly compassion“It takes way more courage to break through the constriction that we have in this society. And it takes courage to say, ‘I need some help.’” - Raghu MarkusConnect with Mike on his website or on social media @mikefinoiaLearn more about Vipassana meditation with Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg hereCheck out The Zen of Therapy by Mark Epstein hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring the wisdom of Selfistry, Sarah Marshank joins to share her spiritual journey through the lens of Ram Dass's teaching of "from role to soul.""There is a place that's always here that's in us and that holds us, that is 'okayness.' It's a relief to finally land there. And from there, to feel happy and sad, and witness the horrors as well as the exquisite beauty of the world, and feel okay with all of it. It's that dance—to know that everything is fundamentally okay and to address all the fucked up things in the world at the same time. Those are not mutually exclusive." – Sarah MarshankIn this episode, Raghu and Sarah mindfully explore:Stories and themes from Sarah's new memoir, Being Selfish: My Journey from Escort to Monk to Grandmother Sarah growing up in the religious container of Judaism, and how meditation helped her come to spirituality Ram Dass's teachings of role to soul, and cultivating the witness How Sarah came up with the term "selfistry" through playing with self and no-self Opening to the okay-ness beyond the horror and beauty of the world How Ram Dass's teaching of "loving awareness" is synonymous with "soul" as well as "okayness"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by singer and songwriter Kesha to talk about living authentically, finding happiness, and bringing spiritual practice into our busy lives.Check out Kesha's new record, Gag Order, featuring a heartful interlude from Ram Dass.Kesha joins Raghu on Mindrolling to chat about:Her experiences with Ram Dass’s teachings and her inspiration to sample him on her track, Ram Dass Interlude from her new album, Gag Order The emptiness Kesha felt from outward seeking, the world of fame, and feeling unaligned with her truth Feeding people to transform from “me land” to “we land” Having the space to work from a state of authenticity Motivations in the record business  The habitual patterns surrounding our spiritual practices Reincarnation and Ram Dass’ manifestations after death The surprising catalyst of Kesha's spiritual awakening Humor as an essential quality of the spiritual path"You’re making enough space to serve yourself to get calm enough to be able to then give to others." - KeshaRaghu's book recommendation from this episode: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel GolemanSign up for the RamDass.org mailing list for a free five-day course that will help you build a daily practice of peace, presence, and spaciousness with Ram Dass: Enroll For Free"You'd rather be vulnerable and be hurt than living dead." - Ram DassSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The Hidden Artists podcast is about people who haven't been discovered yet—entrepreneurs, musicians, someone who is creative in what they do. People have all these talents, but they don't all have an opportunity to be known for what they do. I just want to give these people a chance to be able to do what they love for a living." – Natalie DayanIn this episode, Raghu and Natalie dive into:What it's like for Natalie being born Jewish, being raised in India, and now living in Los AngelesExploring the various parts of your identityThe inspiration behind starting her podcast, The Hidden Artists, which helps artists and entrepreneurs get discoveredObtaining her Masters degree in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineWorking with feeling lost in life, and using fear as a way to motivate yourselfThe similarities and crossovers between Hinduism and JudiasmHow we are not our thoughts, we are not our storyRaghu's adventures through India, and learning Sab Ek (All One) wisdom from Maharaj-jiHaving faith that the universe is always working for you, as well as helping you be of serviceZaChoeje Rinpoche's wisdom to "stop struggling with struggle"How with people like Natalie, the future is going to be okay"You're not your story, you're not your thoughts; who you are, of course, is way behind all of that." – Raghu MarkusSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu’s longtime friend, Daniel Goleman, returns to Mindrolling to catch up on his book co-authored with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Why We Meditate.“There’s more than normal consciousness. There are other possibilities that have their own kind of richness. There are paths to those possibilities.” – Daniel GolemanIn this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Daniel chat about:Wild stories at Raghu’s family farm when they returned to the West  How Danny’s wife, Tara Bennet-Gorman’s book, Emotional Alchemy, along with traditional Tibetan practices served as Tsoknyi’s inspiration for addressing the things that get in the way of our lives, particularly as Westerners  Tsoknyi’s various methods for mindfulness: the handshake method, dropping practice, and more How Ram Dass came up with the term, “little shmoos” Cultivating a sense of “okayness” with things as they are The different types of love on the spectrum of “essence love”“These kinds of practices get integrated into your being. They're a resource for that intuitive trust.” – Raghu MarkusOpen a copy of Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche's new book, Why We Meditate, here.Pick up Emotional Alchemy, written by Daniel's wife, Tara Bennett-Goleman here.If you’re interested in general teachings of Tibetan spirituality, check out Blazing Splendor.About Daniel Goleman:Daniel is an internationally known psychologist and author. His New York Times bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence, was named one of the 25 “Most Influential Business Management Books” by TIME Magazine. Daniel is also a board member of the Mind & Life Institute, an organization that fosters dialogues and research collaborations among contemplative practitioners and scientists. Daniel has organized a series of intensive conversations between the Dalai Lama and scientists, and further merged Dharma and science, coauthoring Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. Learn more about Daniel’s work at danielgoleman.infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Shamini Jain connects with Raghu Markus to discuss harmonizing our autonomic nervous system via an integration of the mind and body.“What we know now is that our emotions have a deep effect on our physiology; they're very interconnected. We can create health simply with our breathing, with our connection with energy, with our connection with a deeper core of who we are.” – Shamini Jain, Ph.D In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu talks with Dr. Shamini Jain about:The multiple ways to experience God within our consciousnessJainism and the main tenant of non-violenceThe nature of vibration and its relationship to the healing processPsychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and the mind-body connectionHow we can prevent disease by harmonizing our autonomic nervous systemThe subtlety of sound and Dr. Shamini's research on using music to healReiki, Chi Gong, meditation and other traditions of vibrational practices“If you transform polarization inside yourself, you probably transform the development of cells that are in opposition to each other.” – Raghu Markus About Dr. Shamini Jain, Ph.D:Dr. Shamini Jain is a psychologist, scientist, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI), a nonprofit collaborative accelerator that connects scientists, health practitioners, educators, and artists to help lead humanity to heal ourselves. Dr. Jain also serves as adjunct faculty at UC San Diego, where she is an active member of the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine’s Research Committee. Her bestselling book, Healing Ourselves: Biofield Science and the Future of Health, via Sounds True Publications, is available at booksellers worldwide.Learn more about Dr. Shamini and her upcoming events/courses/books at shaminijain.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a mission to connect hearts all over the world through Indigenous wisdom, Anita Sanchez illuminates her new book, The Four Sacred Gifts, with Raghu.Sign up for Ram Dass's Yoga of Heartfulness Course, starting May 15th, at RamDass.org/heart“Out of the beingness that is whole, loving, collaborative, and grateful, then we do the doing. Wellbeing inspires well-doing.” – Anita Sanchez, Ph.DThis time on Mindrolling, Raghu talks with Anita Sanchez about:Receiving wisdom, dreams, and prophecies passed down by indigenous eldersThe healing path and how indigenous wisdom paved Anita’s way Creating harmony in the heart, mind, body, and spirit to radiate it to the world‘The Hoop of Life’ as an emblem for unityForgiveness as a pathway to freedom, a pathway to love fully, and the passcode to your own divinityPutting ‘wise hope’ into action“It’s a good day to heal. It's a good day to forgive. It’s a good day to be in unity. It’s a good day to have more dreams and more hope in action.” – Anita Sanchez, Ph.DAbout Anita Sanchez, Ph.D:Anita was born into a Midwest family that was economically poor, yet rich in Mexican-American and Nahua (also known as Aztec) heritage. Fortified with the strength of her elders and connection to the earth, she became the first in her family of over one hundred first cousins to earn a doctorate degree. She has gone on to a career as an international transformational leader.Dr. Sanchez is committed to bridging indigenous wisdom and science with or contemporary work and life, to support our individual wholeness and collective conscious evolution in partnership with People, Spirit, and the Earth. With her loving spirit, presence and skill, Anita inspires people around the world to discover and trust their gifts, to become life-giving connections to all, in service and joy.Learn more about Anita’s soul work at anita-sanchez.com and get the book, The Four Sacred Gifts, at foursacredgifts.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode, Raghu, RamDev (Dale Borglum), and Jackie Dobrinska weave the tapestry for heartfulness as a way of life.Sign up for Ram Dass's Yoga of Heartfulness Course, starting May 15th, at RamDass.org/heart“The development of heartfulness will help—we expect—to transform the polarity that we’re living in within ourselves and in our society and culture.” – Raghu MarkusIn this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu, RamDev, and Jackie tap into:The path for cultivating heartfulnessThe abundance of ways that one can be in the presence of the divineRaghu meeting Ram Dass for the first timeNavigating suffering with an open heartPractices for developing the heart-mindThe antidote for isolation and separatenessA heart-awakening meditation guided by RamDev“The heart begins to reveal how spacious it is, how connected it is. It's as vast as the sky. It's boundless.” – RamDev“To hold our humanity in the context of our divinity, that’s the work.” – RamDevAbout RamDev:Dale Borglum is the founder and Executive Director of The Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, on caregiving as a spiritual practice, and on healing at the edge, the edge of illness, of death, of loss, of crisis.Learn more about The Living/Dying Project at livingdying.orgAbout Jackie Dobrinska:Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass' Love, Serve, Remember Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an interspiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages - the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves. Learn more about Jackie’s work at asimplevibrantlife.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author, musician, and astrologist, Ahad Cobb dissects his new memoir, Riding the Spirit Bus, with Raghu Markus.“The very fact of living in cooperative community on the earth together is itself a gift to many people in our culture.” – Ahad CobbThis time on mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Ahad Cobb discuss:Ahad Cobb's background with Ram DassMaharaj-ji's graceWriting Riding the Spirit BusThe Lama Foundation and becoming groundedCommunal livingWalking in the forest as meditationAbout Ahad Cobb: Ahad is the author, editor, and publisher of six books, including Image Nation and Early Lama Foundation. A musician and leader of Dances of Universal Peace, he has also served as a continuing member, officer, and trustee of the Lama Foundation. He studies and teaches Jyotish (Vedic astrology). He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.Check out Ahad's new memoir about spiritual awakening and Ram Dass, Riding the Spirit Bus, HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teacher, translator, and Rumi Scholar, Kabir Helminski, gets together with Raghu to discuss Sufi mysticism and his new book, The Mysterion."In Sufism, sincerity would be understood to be something like doing whatever you do for the sake of God; not for anyone's approval, not for attention, not for pleasure." – Kabir HelminskiIn this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Kabir Helminski chat about:Kabir's encounter with Ram DassThe tradition of RumiSufism and sincerity The sense of self in the Sufi traditionPresence as a single field of awarenessRelief from judgment and the power of laughterAbout Kabir Helminski: Kabir has been translating Rumi and writing about spirituality for more than forty years. He is a respected teacher, a Shaikh of the Mevlevi Order, which traces back to Rumi. Kabir Helminski is co-director, with his wife, Camille Helminski, of the Threshold Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge and practice of Sufism. He is the author of Living Presence and the translator of four volumes of Rumi’s poetry, including Love Is a Stranger and Rumi: Daylight. His most recent book, The Mysterion: Rumi and the Secret of Becoming Fully Human, can be purchased HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Making friends with death, David Silver and Raghu Markus explore Tibetan Traditions and the wisdom of death and dying."'Mindfulness is the path to the deathless, headlessness is the path to death. The mindful do not die, but the headless are as if dead already.' If you are not mindful through the flow of your earthly life, that will bring death and its fury." – David Silver quoting/commenting on the Dhammapada In this episode, David Silver joins Raghu Markus to explore:Death and dying in the Tibetan traditionIndividual success within the collective Viewing death as an adventureThe ego as a servant instead of a masterSurrendering the bubble of separation "Certainly a cause of sickness is the way we guard ourselves and the way we act in the world from this separated place. That's why you do not need to be old to get any benefit from some of the incredible wisdom of the Tibetan culture." – Raghu Markus About David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. K.C. Tewari—in the guise of a headmaster of a boys school in the foothills of the Himalayas—was secretly a High Yogi, frequently able to go into altered states of trance, known as Samadhi, at any moment.Watch Brilliant Disguise HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Integrating the self, identity, and belonging; mindfulness researcher, Dr. Dan Siegel, joins Raghu Markus to explore his new book, IntraConnected."From a mathematical point of view, the modern construction of a separate solo self is actually a violation of a complex system's ability to adapt and learn." – Dr. Dan SiegelIn this episode Raghu Markus and Dr. Dan Siegel ponder:The integration of self, identity, and belongingRadical Trauma and losing the sense of selfScience and contemplative wisdomThe Optimal Flow of HarmonyDeath as a space of possibility Being a part of a wholeAbout Dr. Dan Siegel:Dr. Siegel is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. An award-winning educator, he is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and recipient of several honorary fellowships. Dr. Siegel is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute, an educational organization, which offers online learning and in-person seminars that focus on how the development of Mindsight in individuals, families, and communities can be enhanced by examining the interface of human relationships and basic biological processes. His psychotherapy practice includes children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He serves as the Medical Director of the LifeSpan Learning Institute and on the Advisory Board of the Blue School in New York City, which has built its curriculum around Dr. Siegel’s Mindsight approach.Keep up with Dr. Dan Siegel and purchase his books on his website hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a discussion on transcendence, Raghu Markus and Zen Priest Hozan Alan Senauke describe embodying zen practices and having a stable mind."What really impressed me about the Chinese/Japanese poetry was that there was a sense of the ordinary. There was something marvelous and transcendent in ordinary perceptions." – Hozan Alan SenaukeIn this episode Raghu Markus and Hozan Alan Senauke explore:The practice of ZenMagic within the ordinary Meeting spiritual teachers and guidesSeeing both sides of everything and finding balanceEmbodiment and putting our practice into the worldBeing Happy and being in the moment Hozan Alan Senauke:Hozan Alan Senauke is a Soto Zen priest, folk musician, poet and the Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center in California. As a socially engaged Buddhist activist, Hozan has worked closely with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and Buddhist Peace Fellowship since 1991. In 2007, he founded Clear View Project, developing Buddhist-based resources for relief and social change in Asia and the U.S. He is author of The Bodhisattva’s Embrace: Dispatches from Engaged Buddhism’s Front Lines. In another realm, Hozan has been a student and performer of American traditional music for more than fifty years.For Alan Senauke dharma talks, click hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scholar Michael Meade sits down with Raghu Markus for a mythical episode on storytelling, symbolism, and human nature."Myth is about vertical imagination. Myth opens up the connections we have to the heavens and the connections we have to the underworld... On the surface a myth is false, but it carries deeper truths than you can find anywhere else." – Michael MeadeIn this episode Raghu Markus and Michael Meade converse about:Michael's induction into the realm of myth Storytelling with musical instrumentsOral and literary traditions in mythologyFinding truth within imaginationLife, death, and renewalThe mythic nature of humans and dreamsA connection between endings and beginnings  The African myth of the eagle and the child About Michael Meade: Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He combines hypnotic storytelling, street-savvy perceptiveness, and spellbinding interpretations of ancient myths with a deep knowledge of cross-cultural rituals.He is the author of Awakening the Soul, The Genius Myth, Fate and Destiny: The Two Agreements of The Soul, Why the World Doesn't End, The Water of Life: Initiation and the Tempering of the Soul; editor, with James Hillman and Robert Bly, of Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart; and the creator of the Living Myth Podcast.Michael Meade is the founder of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a nonprofit network of artists, activists, and community builders that encourages greater understanding between diverse peoples.Discover more from Michael Meade and purchase his books HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Moving out of constriction and into connection with reality, Sharon Salzberg reunites with Raghu to talk about her new book, Real Life."When we are out of harmony with the truth, we are not realistic. Everything is distorted, we reach for happiness in all the wrong places, we let other people define us instead of finding out who we truly are." – Sharon SalzbergIn this episode we hear Sharon Salzberg and Raghu Markus explore:How to 'get real' and see the truth Constriction versus connectionBeing bound by habitual patternsOne-pointedness Dealing with greed, hatred, delusionHow to avoid spiritual bypassing Toxic optimismA reinterpretation of DharmaAbout Sharon Salzberg:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness.Her forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond.Learn more about Sharon and pre-order her new book at www.sharonsalzberg.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Centering on her new book, Big Mama Speaks, Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye and Raghu discuss forgiveness and the wisdom we gain from our ancestors."The older I get, the more I realize being a good therapist has nothing to do with all these acronyms behind my name. I know my grandmother didn't even graduate from high school, but she had a degree in the soul." – Dr. Sabrina N'DiayeIn this episode Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye and Raghu discuss:Understanding trauma Dialoguing with our ancestorsDr. Sabrina's writing processThe magic of forgivenessDeriving lessons from painful experiencesApplying ancestral wisdom to therapy practiceMaking a commitment to compassionAbout Sabrina N'Diaye:Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye is an integrative psychotherapist and founder of the Heart Nest Center for Peace and Healing in Baltimore. There, she lovingly serves women, couples, other healers, and small groups. Her approach to healing is a blend of wisdom, science, and ancient spiritual practices. She is a student of the late Sufi Master Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal of Jerusalem and incorporates Sufi healing into her with individuals, families, and communities. Keep up with Dr. N'Diaye on Instagram or her website and stay tuned for her upcoming book, Big Mama Speaks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and teacher, Kevin Griffin sits down with Raghu to discuss finding a higher power and responding to everything with love."The Dharma can be your higher power rather than praying to some sort of Abrahamic God. The Dharma itself is powerful and provides all you need for turning your life over to the Dharma." – Kevin GriffinIn this episode Kevin Griffin and Raghu explore:A Buddhist path to recovery How practicality can lead to spirituality Dharma as a higher powerInitial transformation in the 12-step program Applying a metta practice to our daily livesHow we can bring balance into our inner world About Kevin Griffin:Kevin Griffin is a Buddhist teacher and author of several books, including Living Kindness: Metta Practice For The Whole Of Our Lives, One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps, and Buddhism & the Twelve Steps DAILY REFLECTIONS. A longtime Buddhist practitioner and 12 Step participant, he is a leader in the mindful recovery movement and one of the founders of the Buddhist Recovery Network. Kevin is a husband, father and musician. His album “Laughing Buddha” is a collection of rock and world-beat tunes with Buddhist themes. Learn more at www.kevingriffin.net.Check out Kevin Griffin's upcoming events on Spiritrock.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Devotional Musician Jai Uttal joins Raghu to chat about his new album which explores the deepest spiritual longings of the human psyche."The Bhakti's of the past, their songs are so deeply personal and intimate in their relationship to God; it's stepping into that stream, as gracefully as possible." – Jai UttalIn this episode Jai Uttal and Raghu weave together:Devotional MusicThe art of translationInherited sentiments and emotionsThe beauty of expressing our deepest experiencesIntimacy with GodThe Yoga of DevotionFollowing the path of the heart Online Kirtan Camp with Jai Uttal – Level 2 - The Ocean of Bhakti Journey into the heart of devotion with Jai Uttal. Sign Up HereDo you ever wish you could learn to chant? Do you have an existing mantra or kirtan practice and want to go deeper? Have you been wanting to connect with other people who love yoga, mantra and kirtan?Begin slowly, at your own pace, and make a small and very easy commitment to chant three to five minutes a day, watering that tender shoot of devotion in the deepest recesses of your soul. Before you can even say 108 RAMs, the seed of bhakti within your heart will blossom into a beautiful tree of spiritual connection and love, and become a shelter of peace and compassion for others.'Dust & Tears' Jai Uttal's New Album The nine compositions on this album continue this ancient steam of devotion. These mystical songs, though veined with heart-wrenching sorrow, express the deepest spiritual longings of the human psyche. Yet, when sung with beauty, heartfelt intensity, and vulnerability, these primordial emotions give birth to an unspoken well of sublime joy. The lyrics, composed by Nubia and I, rest on the very breath of our mystical ancestors. The inspiration is from their passionate hearts and ardent poetry. These songwriters of Bhakti were untamed revolutionaries, proclaiming the triumph of love over hate. May we, in our small way, sing like they sang, fearlessly and with abandon, longing for darshan, praying for all beings to be free. Each of these songs grew from a seed found in an ancient text – sometimes it was a line, sometimes just a word, and sometimes simply the sentiment – which was planted in the soil of our souls to sprout into the music you hear today. Listen Here"Kirtan is the calling, the crying, the reaching across infinite space — digging into the heart’s deepest well to touch and be touched by the Divine Presence." – Jai Uttalhttp://www.jaiuttal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiQb8kZolBKVCk0tYhwQGqQhttps://www.facebook.com/jaiuttal/https://www.instagram.com/jaiuttal/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussing their book You Are The Universe, Amy Buetens and Julie Weinstein join Raghu to talk about Ram Dass in the next generation.You Are The Universe is an impactful guidebook, chronicling the unconventional journey and self-discovery of Ram Dass, one of the world’s most beloved spiritual teachers. Sourced from five decades of recordings, Ram Dass shares his life story and transformative teachings in his own words with honesty and humor. These teachings from Ram Dass offer teens and adults of all ages life-altering inspiration for understanding universal truths, navigating their unique paths with compassion and awareness, and living a meaningful life. Vibrant hand-drawn and water-colored images illustrate Ram Dass’s captivating story of transformation. You Are The Universe offers an accessible perspective on our world through Ram Dass’s eyes, and explores timeless answers for today’s most urgent questions.Grab your copy of You are the Universe here See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ZaChoeje Rinpoche joins Raghu for a talk on being recognized as a Tulku (reincarnated Tibetan master) by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the true nature of struggling.Help others improve their mental and emotional well-being, reduce stress, improve focus, increase self-awareness and self-regulation — all while deepening your own practice and understanding.Join Buddhist teacher David Nichtern and special guest Professor Robert Thurman for a free online program on Tuesday, February 14th at 6:00pm ET. Visit dharmamoon.com/beherenow for more info and to reserve your spot for the free info session!"The difference between the enlightened being and the un-enlightened being is: we are all struggling, but an enlightened being stops struggling over the struggles; and we struggle over the struggles. That is the truth of suffering." – ZaChoeje RinpocheIn this episode ZaChoeje Rinpoche and Raghu dive into:Growing up in India as a Tibetan refugee child, and becoming a monkBeing recognized as a Tulku (reincarnated Tibetan master) by His Holiness The Dalai LamaMoving to the U.S. and founding Emaho Foundation a Tibetan Buddhist center serving the greater Phoenix areaRetranslating the Buddha's First Noble Truth (the truth of struggling)Disentangling from getting caught in the story of the "Movie of Me" – the fixed idea of who we areThe role of devotion, faith, and guru in spiritual development through the lens of Tibetan BuddhismConnecting with the true nature of the mind as clear lightAn illuminating guided meditation practice on the sky like nature of mind and heartSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a conversation about fallibility and self-honesty, spiritual advisor Jaymee Carpenter and Raghu Markus talk about surrender and transcending victimhood."When I was younger I was getting high on my identity of being a victim and I got high on drugs. Then I got sober and I got high on this new identity of a sober person. It was just a transference of ego." – Jaymee Carpenter"We all have that generational karma in one way or the other that we are dealing with." – Raghu Markus In this episode Jaymee Carpenter and Raghu Markus discuss:Overcoming the lies we tell ourselfComing back from rock bottomKinship and mentorshipMeditation and miraclesRecovery from drug and alcohol addictionIdentity and being nobodySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Through the lens of her new book, Spring Washam joins Raghu Markus for a discussion on collective ancestry, divine destiny, and lighting the fire of change.In this episode, Spring Washam and Raghu Markus discuss:Conductors of spiritMystical visions and messagesCollective ancestorsMystical visions and messagesThe Dharma of Harriet TubmanCrossing planes of existenceAwakening through generations“We’re talking about awakening from the underground, we’re talking about consciousness, we’re talking about this dream through the mind of freedom.” — Spring WashamSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Through a mixture of storytelling and conversation, Raghu Markus, Krishna Das, and David Silver all describe their experiences with K.C. Tewari.NEW Meditation Series: Pause, Breathe, Be Here Now with Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, John Lockley, Ram Dev, Trudy Goodman, Lama Tsultrim Allione—FREE January 16 to 25. Sit in true peace, love, and tranquility. Join thousands of people around the world for this collective meditation experience: onecommune.com/ramdass "As I recognized that I didn't need to keep secrets and I didn't need to pretend to be anybody—I could just be me. It was so liberating." – Krishna Das"When I was looking at Tewari in this film, every single time I saw him it had a flashy effect on me. It did something to me just like when I met him." – David Silver."With everything else, his incredible deep spiritual nature, his wisdom, but the delight of just hanging out with him. We would look forward to going to India and just hanging out even if he'd be doing his all night puja" – Raghu Markus See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Telling tales of Ram Dass and psychedelic escapades, Raghu Markus and Jeff Krasno discuss that which is beyond our rational mind.Discover integrating transcendent experiences into daily life using a process versus product mentality, learn about the Bhakti path, and enjoy many stories of our spiritual teachers.NEW Meditation Series: Pause, Breathe, Be Here Now with Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, John Lockley, Ram Dev, Trudy Goodman, Lama Tsultrim Allione—FREE January 16 to 25. Sit in true peace, love, and tranquility. Join thousands of people around the world for this collective meditation experience: onecommune.com/ramdass "To have a different experience of yourself or of consciousness—not as a separate self but as a feeling, as a sensation of being completed integrated into the universe—to taste that, even if you just taste it for a moment and you come back down, it sparks something." – Jeff KrasnoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a journey to release the stories that hold us back from our true selves, Dharma teacher Judith Ragir and Raghu Markus review healing wounds and changing karma for generations.In this episode they discuss family trauma, moving beyond our conditioning, and how to repair our hearts.NEW Meditation Series: Pause, Breathe, Be Here Now with Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, John Lockley, Ram Dev, Trudy Goodman, Lama Tsultrim Allione—FREE January 16 to 25. Sit in true peace, love, and tranquility. Join thousands of people around the world for this collective meditation experience: onecommune.com/ramdass Judith Ragir (also known as Byakuren in Buddhist circles) is a Dharma teacher in the Zen lineage of Katagiri Roshi. She was instrumental in founding the Clouds in Water Zen Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was the Guiding Teacher for nine years and is currently Senior Dharma Teacher Emeritus. An accomplished artist, Ragir makes Buddhist-inspired quilts which are on display in Buddhist Centers around the United States. Her written pieces have appeared in many anthologies, including The Eightfold Path, Zen Teachings in Challenging Times, The Hidden Lamp, The Path of Compassion, Seeds of Virtue-Seeds of Change and Receiving the Marrow. Check out her newly released book, Untangling Karma: Intimate Zen Stories on Healing Trauma."The woundedness gets healed both psychologically but also through spiritual practice, through God consciousness entering you. Then you feel like something larger than yourself is holding you, helping you, and giving you love." – Judith RagirSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anthropologist and psychotherapist, Geral T. Blanchard, LPC, joins Raghu to discuss how to awaken the soul with indigenous wisdom for today's world.Geral (Gerry) Blanchard, LPC, is university trained in psychological and anthropological approaches that can address a variety of mental health issues including trauma and addictions in a holistic fashion. He has decades of experience addressing matters of interpersonal violence, traumatization, as well as behavioral and substance addictions. Geral has served as a consultant and trainer for scores of social service agencies, prisons, and chemical dependency treatment centers. Geral has lectured widely throughout the U.S. and additionally in Sweden, Canada, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. He has authored a variety of books on the subjects of sexual abuse, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and the incorporation of indigenous healing traditions in today’s psychotherapeutic settings. Gerry is a regular contributor to the UK Shamanism magazine, Sacred Hoop. Order his new book Awakening the Soul: Indigenous Wisdom for Today's World. For more info please visit Geralblanchard.com"One of the basic tenants of shamanism is that the first thing you do with any patient is you remove all obstacles to healing, and almost always fear is the number one obstacle." – Geral T. Blanchard  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an inspiring conversation on serving the next generation with sacred rites and mindful guidance, director Frederick Marx joins Raghu Markus.Frederick Marx is an internationally acclaimed, Oscar and Emmy-nominated director/writer with 40 years in the film business. He was named a Chicago Tribune Artist of the Year, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Special Achievement Award. His film HOOP DREAMS played in hundreds of theaters nationwide after winning the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was the first documentary ever chosen to close the New York Film Festival.“I’ve always been looking for ways to bring the sacred back into the every day and to make our lives that much more meaningful.” – Frederick MarxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Sará King and Duncan Trussell join Raghu at the Ram Dass retreat to talk trust, interbeing, vulnerability, loneliness, and getting contact high.Dr. Sará King is a UCLA-trained neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She has over 20 years of experience as a research scientist, and specializes in the study of the relationship between mindfulness, complementary alternative medicine, and social justice. She is the scientific consultant for Peace in Schools, a dharma teacher with Presence Collective, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology, and the founder of MindHeart Consulting, a scientific consultancy offering seminars, research and development, and trauma healing circles.For more on Sará’s offerings, please visit mindheartconsulting.com and follow her at @mindheartcollective."That feeling of being in our heads with our egos is part of the experience of being human. So you can have great compassion for yourself around that experience—it's natural, it's okay, and it's part of the practice of recognizing in that moment and bringing yourself that compassion." – Dr. Sará KingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Multidimensional artist, podcaster, and comedian Ramin Nazer rejoins Raghu for an episode on wisdom givers, death, and the eternal 'I am'. Ramin Nazer is a multi-talented artist, podcaster, comedian, game creator and musician based out of LA. He is best known for his consistent stream of unique, psychedelic-spiritual, bite-sized art for the social media age, as well as his podcast, with comedian Shane Mauss, Mind Under Matter, where they take a hilarious and scientific approach to human behavior. You can tap into Ramin’s steady flow of art on his Instagram, tap into his solo podcast Rainbow Brainskull, and peer into his myriad offerings at RaminNazer.com.“It’s all about the giving, the spreading, the charging others with it. And it’s not like it leaves you, it can only grow. It’s not by giving it away that you are losing the crystal—it’s helping it multiply. A positive virus in a way.” – Ramin NazerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yael Schonbrun joins Raghu to talk working, parenting, healthy relationships, projection, curiosity, and thriving in our roles.Yael Schonbrun is a licensed clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, and writer about parenting, work, and relationships. In her work, she draws on scientific research, clinical experience, and real life experiences with three small superheroes who provide with constant inspiration. Her new book, Work, Parent Thrive, offers a fresh perspective on working parenthood and a scientifically-backed approach to a happier and more successful life with multiple demanding roles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Word Woman, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, returns with Raghu to dive deep into poetry, spirituality, silence, grief, love, trust, and listening. Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer lives in Southwest Colorado with her family, served as the third Colorado Western Slope Poet Laureate (2015-2017) and was a finalist for Colorado Poet Laureate (2019). Her poetry has appeared in O Magazine, on A Prairie Home Companion and PBS New Hour, in Ted Kooser’s American Life in Poetry, in back alleys and on river rocks. Rosemerry is the co-host of Emerging Form, a podcast on creative process; and teaches and performs poetry for addiction recovery programs, hospice, mindfulness retreats, women’s retreats, teachers and more. For more info, poetry books, and daily poetry offerings please visit, WordWoman.com"To be a wide open listener, that's the real invitation of any poem. People say they need to find their voice; actually we need to be wide open listeners. That's what's really being asked of us. How widely can you listen? How openly can you listen?" – Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer, speaker, and traveler, Ann Tashi Slater, returns with Raghu to talk the bardos, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, trust, travel, NDE's, letting go, Padmasambhava, and faith. Ann Tashi Slater is a writer, speaker and traveler, born on a summer evening in Andalusia to an American father and a Tibetan mother. Ann lived in Spain for two years, Darjeeling and Kathmandu for a year, and then moved to the States. Her fiction, essays, and interviews have been published by The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult, Guernica, Tin House, AGNI, Granta, Kyoto Journal, and the HuffPost, among others, and she is a contributing a contributing editor at Tricycle. Her writing also appears in Women in Clothes (Riverhead) and American Dragons (HarperCollins); a translation of fiction by Reinaldo Arenas was published in Old Rosa (Grove). She speaks and teaches workshops throughout the world. More info at AnnTashiSlater.com"One thing we know for sure is that things are going to change and end, including us. We dread this, of course, but in the Tibetan Buddhist way of thinking, it's really an opportunity to find meaning and think about the things that matter to us." – Ann Tashi Slater See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is back fresh from an India trip to talk with OG Mindroller, David Silver, about life, death, Pema Chödrön, and the way you live."I took my first acid trip and experienced groundlessness as if I was dead. I was terrified. Working through that—as everybody does who does psychedelic transformative substances in the right way—I realized there was groundlessness in my life as if I were dead. I was shocked. Going through that, I began to notice this was worth massive focus." – David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Noah Markus hijacks this episode to present an anthology of the practical Buddhist wisdom he has received during his Mindrolling conversations with Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, and Joseph Goldstein.“It’s not the problem that you have the thoughts; they’re creative in a way, they could hire you in Hollywood, you’d make some really good horror movies. It’s not the content, it’s the fact that you believe that shit.” – Jack KornfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian, Duncan Trussell, and mindfulness teacher, David Nichtern, join Raghu to explore the intersection of Bhakti and Buddhism.In this special live recording from the LSRF 2022 Summer Mountain Retreat in Boone, North Carolina, Mindrolling favorites, Duncan Trussell and David Nichtern, join Raghu for a deep and hilarious discussion spanning the variant and connected nuances of the spiritual paths of Bhakti and Buddhism. Take an online course with David at Dharma Moon & check out Duncan Trussell's podcast The Duncan Trussell Family Hour"The reason I’m meditating is so that the next time I’m sitting in front of a Hanuman statue, experiencing some sort of transcendent bliss, I'm not drowning it out with a machine gun rattle of seventy questions regarding what that is.” – Duncan TrussellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this anthology, Mary Clare PhD, Gary Ferguson, John Lockley, Sarah Wilson, & Alastair McIntosh join Raghu to talk Dharma & Ecology.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling – Raghu Markus – Ep. 460 – Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, & Compassion w/ Koshin Paley EllisonKoshin Paley Ellison returns with Raghu to explore social action, suffering, pleasure, honoring it all, hungry ghosts, taking risks, and getting untangled.Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, which is the first Zen-based organization to offer fully accredited ACPE clinical chaplaincy training in America. He is the academic advisor for the Buddhist students in the Master in Pastoral Care and Counseling program at New York Theological Seminary. Check out his upcoming book, Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion. Learn more about Koshin and his offerings at zencare.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus is joined by Deborah Eden Tull for a thoughtful discussion about the potential presented by the darkness inside and outside of ourselves.Deborah Eden Tull is a zen meditation and engaged dharma teacher, public speaker, author, and sustainability educator. She is also the founder of Mindful Living Revolution. She trained for seven and a half years as a Buddhist monk at a silent zen monastery and has taught engaged dharma for over 20 years. Deborah has lived in sustainable communities and as an organic gardener/farmer for decades and celebrates the essential wisdom of nature. She currently resides in the mountains of western North Carolina, originally Cherokee land, with her husband. She offers retreats, workshops, classes, and consultations nationally and internationally, integrating presence and partnership with nature. Her newest book, Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown, is now available for purchase.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wise beyond her years, Raghu’s granddaughter, Zoey Markus, returns to share Gen Z insights on closing the divide of separateness through awareness and understanding.Support podcasts like this through the Be Here Now Network 6th-Anniversary Fundraiser Drive - win tickets to the Ram Dass Legacy retreat in Maui, shop limited edition BHNNxBrunofsky merch and more: beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserFresh back from the classroom, a Mindrolling favorite and Raghu's wise granddaughter, Zoey Markus, returns to offer her opinion on the zeitgeist of modern society, exploring her Gen Z perspective on war, self-awareness, polarity, redeemability, distraction, effort, paying attention, the environment, woke culture, and understanding.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Parvati Markus and Pete Holmes join Raghu to share stories from Parvati's new book, Whisper in the Heart, on the ongoing presence of Maharaj-ji. Parvati Markus is an author, a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, and longtime friend of Ram Dass. She recently released the book, Whisper in the Heart: The Ongoing Presence of Neem Karoli Baba. Pete Holmes is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster. You can listen to him on his podcast You Made It Weird. His book Comedy, Sex, God offers a comedic and autobiographical philosophical inquiry on living a spiritual life.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dream expert, Machiel Klerk joins Raghu for a conversation on how we can build a trusting communicative relationship with our dreams.Support podcasts like this through the Be Here Now Network 6th-Anniversary Fundraiser Drive - win tickets to the Ram Dass Legacy retreat in Maui, shop limited edition BHNNxBrunofsky merch and more: beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserMachiel Klerk is a social entrepreneur, licensed mental health therapist, international speaker, dream worker, and published author. Machiel founded the organization Jung Platform based on a night-time dream. This organization focuses on providing quality programs for personal development from a soul-centered perspective. Machiel is an internationally-recognized and gifted dream worker. His book Dream Guidance shows how one can connect and find guidance from the soul through dreams. He further travels extensively to Africa, Europe and through the United States, lecturing on soul-oriented psychological topics. More at MachielKlerk.com“Dreams are not just little fragments that happen at night, but is coexisting reality or stream of consciousness that continues to exist when you wake up.” – Machiel KlerkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Lockley returns with Raghu for a conversation on overcoming inner apartheid, learning from animals, dream tracking, and finding your edge.John Lockley began his journey as a young medic drafted into the South African military. He then trained under Zen master Su Bong from South Korea, and returned to post-Apartheid South Africa to spend 10 years in apprenticeship with MaMngwevu, a medicine woman from the Xhosa tribe. John now splits his time teaching in South Africa, Ireland, Europe, and the US. Find out more about John’s work learn more about his retreats and offerings at JohnLockley.com.Learn more about how you can support Be Here Now Network podcasts like the Mindrolling Podcast through our 6th-Anniversary Fundraiser Drive - win tickets to the Ram Dass Legacy retreat in Maui, shop limited edition BHNNxBrunofsky merch and more: beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan is back with Raghu for a conversation on moving from a mindset of selfishness and polarization to one of service, humor, and compassion.Celebrating the 6th anniversary of Be Here Now Network, Raghu invites back his podcast guru, Duncan Trussell—the main inspirational spark behind the creation of this far-spanning family of podcasts. In this episode, they dive into how service makes you less of a selfish asshole, why a good sense of humor is synonymous with spirituality, and how to move past the illusion of polarization.Learn more about how you can support Be Here Now Network podcasts like the Mindrolling Podcast through our 6th-Anniversary Fundraiser Drive - win tickets to the Ram Dass Legacy retreat in Maui, shop limited edition BHNNxBrunofsky merch and more: beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Rosenbaum joins Raghu to discuss being here now, Qigong, Zen, Taoism, truth, sex, and his new book on the Surangama Sutra.Join Raghu, Duncan Trussell, Nathalie Kelley, David Silver, Spring Washam and more friends for a special anniversary live podcast - August 15th @ 8pm EST on the Be Here Now Network Youtube Channel. Set a reminder here: https://youtu.be/Sla4EHxOe9ULearn more about how you can support podcasts like Mindrolling through our 6th-anniversary fundraiser: https://beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserRobert Rosenbaum, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist and psychotherapist in the San Francisco Bay area, a Zen practice leader and senior teacher of Dayan Qigong, and a mountaineer. He brings a lifetime of practice to the moment-by-moment harmonization of body, mind, and spirit. Check out his amazing new book, That Is Not Your Mind!: Zen Reflections on the Surangama SutraSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

RamDev Dale Borglum returns with Raghu to discuss Maharaj-ji as a Satguru, disagreeing with Ram Dass, honesty, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and if sake can be spiritual.Join Raghu, Duncan Trussell, Nathalie Kelley, David Silver, Spring Washam and more friends for a special anniversary live podcast - August 15th @ 8pm EST on the Be Here Now Network Youtube Channel. Set a reminder here: https://youtu.be/Sla4EHxOe9ULearn more about how you can support podcasts like Mindrolling through our 6th-anniversary fundraiser: https://beherenownetwork.com/fundraiserRam Dev founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. He has been the Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe and since 1986 in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co­author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, Bantam Books and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life ­threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice. Learn more about Ram Dev’s work via the Living/Dying Project, tune into his Thursdays with Ram Dev on Instagram, and subscribe to Dale’s Healing at the Edge"Maharaj-ji didn't have one path – he was all paths." – RamDev Dale BorglumSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to Mindrolling for a thought-provoking chat with Raghu about living in a time of extremes.Join Raghu, Duncan Trussell, Nathalie Kelley, David Silver, Spring Washam and more friends for a special anniversary live podcast - August 15th @ 8pm EST on the Be Here Now Network Youtube Channel. Set a reminder here: https://youtu.be/Sla4EHxOe9ULearn more about how you can support podcasts like Mindrolling through our 6th-anniversary fundraiser: https://beherenownetwork.com/fundraiser“This reality that we want to be immersed in, which is directed by love, which is about love, which in fact expresses love at all times, is beyond this sticky other stuff.” – David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This time on the Mindrolling Podcast, author Matt Kahn and Raghu Markus explore the intersection of bhakti & holding space for ourselves and others.Matt Kahn is an incomparable spiritual teacher, highly attuned empathic healer, powerful speaker, and captivating author. He enriches people’s lives by providing heart-centered solutions that ignite, delight, and unite! Matt wrote the highly acclaimed books Whatever Arises, Love That, Everything Is Here to Help You, and The Universe Always Has a Plan, which have been translated into more than a dozen languages. His newest book, All For Love: The Transformative Power of Holding Space, is receiving early accolades and is sure to top bestsellers lists. Matt has also become a YouTube sensation with his healing and often humorous videos. Follow him and find relief from the challenges of daily life through his heart-centered messages."In order to love ourselves we have to be authentic and in order to be authentic we have to love ourselves." – Matt KahnSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. James S. Gordon rejoins Raghu for a humbling discussion on transforming trauma in war-stricken countries like Ukraine.James S. Gordon, MD, a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, is internationally recognized for using self-awareness, self-care, and group support to heal population-wide psychological trauma. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Center for Mind-Body Medicine, and the author of The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma, and Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression. Learn more about him at JamesGordonMD.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Music legend, Richard Wolf, joins Raghu for a discussion on music and mindfulness, silence and listening, John Coltrane and nonduality, and music as self-transcendence.Richard Wolf is an Emmy Award–winning composer, multi-platinum-selling music producer, and professor at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he teaches classes on music and mindfulness. As a producer/remixer/songwriter/composer, Wolf worked on projects with Prince, Bell Biv DeVoe, Freddie Mercury, Seal, MC Lyte, and Coolio, and has been contributing to the soundtracks for hundreds of films and television programs including twelve seasons of the worldwide hit NCIS. He started practicing Zen meditation when he was a teenager, recently bridged music and spirituality in his new book In Tune: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness."It's about listening and about hearing music, it's about exploring your interior soundscape." – Richard WolfSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamie Kilstein returns with Raghu to talk breaking up, f*cking up, standup comedy, music, following your passions, and being true to yourself.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti with Raghu and an eclectic group of dharma teachers and mindful artists at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!Jamie Kilstein is a comedian, writer, musician, fighter, and podcaster who hosts, A F*ckup’s Guide to the Universe, where he talks about culture, self-improvement, drugs, mental health, Jiu-Jitsu, spirituality, and being an outcast. He also hosts Jamie made his debut tv appearance on Conan and has been seen on MSNBC’s Up with Chris Hayes, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Showtime, and BBC America. For more info visit JamieKilstein.com, for more awesome content sign up for his Patreon, and to keep up to date with music and offerings, check out his Instagram and Twitter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary filmmaker, David Lynch, joins Raghu for a chat on finding true happiness, creativity and peace through Transcendental Meditation.David Lynch is a filmmaker, painter, photographer, sculptor, musician, woodworker, and founder and chairman of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Possibly best known for his work on the cult classic film, Dune, as well as the CBS series, Twin Peaks; David’s life’s mission has been to spread the benefits of Transcendental Meditation throughout the world. Tune into his Daily Weather Report, short films, and more surprises, on his David Lynch Theater Youtube channel, and check out DavidLynchFoundation.org for more Transcendental Meditation education and resources.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti with Raghu and an eclectic group of dharma teachers and mindful artists at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!"A human being is like a lightbulb—we radiate out what's inside. So if you're filled with anger, stress, and hate, you'll radiate that out. People don't like to sit down next to somebody who's filled with anger and negativity. On the other hand, if you're filled with happiness and love, you radiate that out; people like that and they feel good around you. It's just the way it is" – David LynchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsomo joins Raghu for a discussion on becoming happy, cultivating compassion, and seeing between the frames of the movie of me.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti with Raghu and an eclectic group of dharma teachers and mindful artists at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!Lama Tsomo has followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. Lama learned Tibetan to study with her teacher Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, and now shares the teachings of the Namchak lineage in the US and abroad. Lama holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and is the author of books such as the award-winning Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?, and her upcoming Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection. For more info, please visit Namchak.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this specially curated anthology episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu explores the many ways that music can become a vehicle for spiritual transformation with his musically inspired guests - David Silver, John Forté, Justin Boreta, East Forest & Trevor Hall.Check out the first episode in the Mindrolling Anthology Series: Science & SpiritualityExplore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mikey Pauker and Shiva Baum join Raghu for a conversation around music, spirituality, and getting vulnerable.Mikey Pauker is a folk/world artist playing such festivals and venues as Electric Forest and Red Rocks. His new album, ASCENSION, is an invitation to listen to the call of our inner wilderness and to greet our darkness with understanding and an open heart. Inspired by teachers who blend yoga and mystical practices, he went to study in Jerusalem, soaking up the hidden teachings of his ancestral lineage. These spiritual dimensions guided his artistic development as he explored ecstatic music festivals and mystical religious traditions. Check out Mikey's new song: "Great Spirit"Shiva Baum is a record producer and peak performance coach. With an expertise in sacred mantra chanting, he is the head of music programming for the world renown yoga music festivals Bhakti Fest and Shakti Fest.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!"There are things in the world that are so horrific and so heartbreaking, that if you let them, they will lock you out of your heart. And our job as artists, as leaders in working with higher consciousness and promoting higher consciousness—our job is not to let these moments, these situations, these tragedies, this pain, lock us out of our own heart." – Shiva Baum See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to this week's episode of Mindrolling, where Raghu Markus is joined by Jai Uttal for a music-filled talk on opening our hearts through the magnitude of melodies.Jai Uttal is a grammy-nominated sacred music composer, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist. Having traveled extensively in India, he met many great saints and singers and Bhakti Yoga became his personal path. Jai has been leading, teaching, and performing kirtan around the world for nearly 50 years. He creates a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices.Join Raghu and a collection of dharma teachers in exploring the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!“Music is way more vast than any one human person can understand.” – Jai UttalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nancy Colier returns with Raghu to help us let go of thoughts, anxiety, trauma, labels, negativity, righteousness, & grief—in a conversation on why we can't stop thinking.Join Raghu and a collection of dharma teachers in exploring the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!"At the deepest level it doesn't really matter what your thoughts are saying. They might say crazy things, they might say helpful things, they might say mean things—but if you're not your thoughts, then you're not in this constant battle with your thoughts that they have to be a certain way." – Nancy ColierSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bestselling author, Barbara Graham, joins Raghu to discuss the mystery of reincarnation and past lives in relation to trauma, fear, and collective karma.Barbara Graham is the author/editor of the New York Times bestselling Eye of My Heart: 27 Women Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother, her non-Hallmark take on the complexities of being a grandparent in the 21st century. She’s also the author of Women Who Run with the Poodles: Myths and Tips for Honoring Your Mood Swings, a national bestseller that offers a satirical look at the dark side of the self-help movement. Barbara’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and at theaters around the country. What Jonah Knew is her first novel being released July 2022. Preorder here. For more info please visit BarbaraGrahamAuthor.comJoin Raghu and a collection of dharma teachers in exploring the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling podcast, Raghu Markus invites Susan B. Eirich, Ph.D. to share her wisdom on the connections between the wild and the human.Susan B. Eirich, Ph.D. is the founder and executive director of Earthfire Institute, a wildlife sanctuary with a mission to change how humans see and therefore treat wildlife, for all our sakes. She uses her background as a biologist and psychologist to bridge our scientific and spiritual understanding of animals. Through retreats, newsletters, speaking, videos, and social media she carries their voices out to an international audience.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg & Noah join Raghu for a metta-steeped conversation around emotions, mindfulness, self-compassion, and real change.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Posner joins Rachael and Raghu to share on meeting Ram Dass, walking across America, climbing Mt Everest, and going through the Dark Night of the Soul.Mike Posner is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, record producer, poet, and artist who famously walked across America and climbed Mount Everest for charity. He is best known for his track, I Took a Pill in Ibiza. Rachael Fisher is the Creative Director for Love Serve Remember amongst wearing many other hats for the foundation. Find out more about Mike Posner at MikePosner.com, and check out his April 22nd performance on the Soul Land Music Series: Songs & Stories Inspired by Ram Dass.Explore the intersection of Buddhism & Bhakti at the inaugural Love Serve Remember Summer Mountain Retreat August 25th - 29th in Boone, NC!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special anthology episode of the Mindrolling podcast, Raghu explores the brimming intersection of science and spirituality with an assortment of wise and insightful friends.We are excited to introduce a special anthology episode peering into how the topics of science and spirituality connect in our modern age, sourcing hand-selected clips from previous Mindrolling podcasts with David Silver, Ananda Danielle Krettek Cobb, Dr. Bruce Damer, Lisa Broderick, and Dennis Mckenna.Check out a new Spring season of the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series featuring artists such as Gone Gone Beyond, David Starfire, & Jai Uttal!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at the Wisdome in Los Angeles, Raghu Markus and Pete Holmes discuss how accepting all parts of ourselves can enrich our lives and allow us to experience divine love. This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingPete Holmes is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster. You can listen to him on his podcast You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes and check out his new TV show, How We Roll.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visionary artist, John Speaker, joins Raghu to talk Ram Dass, psychedelics, depicting deities, live painting at music festivals, and the spiritual path of art.Welcoming visionary artist, John Speaker, to Mindrolling, Raghu shares about the Ram Dass portrait John jammed on live during Random Rab’s Soul Land Music Series performance. After Raghu inquires into what sparked John onto the spiritual path of creating psychedelic art, John reflects on how two tabs of acid, a pen, and a piece of paper transformed his life from gloomy suicidal ideations to inspired creative artistry. Check out John’s mind-expanding work at JohnSpeaker.comCheck out a new Spring season of the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series featuring artists such as Gone Gone Beyond, David Starfire, & Jai Uttal!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oteil Burbridge, Mike Finoia, & Raghu read Ram Dass’ eulogy for Jerry Garcia, in a Grateful Dead steeped discussion spanning from Owsley Stanley’s ‘Wall of Sound’ to John Mayer’s musical karma.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingOteil Burbridge is a two time Grammy-winning bassist who has been in the music business touring and recording for over three decades, playing in acts such as Dead & Company, the Allman Brothers Band, and the Aquarium Rescue Unit feat. Col. Bruce Hampton. Mike Finoia is a nationally touring comedian and producer who has been featured on Comedy Central, TruTV, and Sirius XM. Mike is a producer for the acclaimed show Impractical Jokers, as well as host of the Amigos podcast. Together, Oteil and Mike host Comes a Time – a podcast exploring spirituality and meaning through the lens of jam music culture, self-exploration, and beyond.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spiritual theologian and author, Matthew Fox, joins Raghu for a conversation on Creation Spirituality, Original Blessing, Thomas Merton, Hildegard of Bingen, and Jesus and the feminine.Matthew Fox is a spiritual theologian, author, Episcopal priest, and activist for gender and eco-justice. With nearly 40 books translated over 70 times, he has contributed much to the rediscovery of Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, and Thomas Aquinas as pre-modern mystics and prophets. Matthew holds a doctorate in the history and theology of spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris. The founder of the University of Creation Spirituality in California, he conducts dozens of workshops each year and is a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning. Learn about his new book, Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality and more at MatthewFox.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel joins Raghu to discuss Buddhism, Shamanism, Indigenous ceremony, the Vodou–Zen connection, taking Earth's 'strong medicine,' and religion's mystical roots.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingOsho Zenju Earthlyn Marselean Manuel is a poet, author, Zen priest, medicine woman of the drum, and dharma heir of Buddha and the late Zenkei Blanche Hartman in the Shunryu Suzuki Roshi lineage through the San Francisco Zen Center. Zenju’s practice is influenced by Native American and African Indigenous traditions. She participated in ceremony with Ifá diviners from Dahomey, Africa, and briefly studied Yoruba. She was raised in the Church of Christ, holds a Ph.D, and worked for decades as a social science researcher, development director for non-profit organizations serving women, girls, cultural arts, and mental health. For info, offerings & books, please visit, Zenju.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Connie Zweig and Raghu investigate the lifelong process of aging through the lens of 'shadow awareness' and 'shifting from role to soul.'Connie Zweig, PhD, is a bestselling author who has retired from clinical practice, and has been initiated into Elderhood as a Certified Sage-ing Leader. She is extending her work into late life for Baby Boomers with The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul. As co-author of Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature and Romancing the Shadow: Illuminating the Dark Side of the Soul, Dr. Connie has come to be known as a guide who can go where others fear to tread. For more info and to join Dr. Connie's Wisdom Circle communities, please visit, ConnieZweig.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Ellen Vora joins Raghu for a conversation on the connection between mind and body—exploring psychedelics, anxiety as grace, and our personal hotline to intuition.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingEllen Vora, MD received her B.A. from Yale University and attended Columbia University medical school. She’s a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health—considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups and has a book called The Anatomy of Anxiety coming out in March 2022. Fore more info, please visit EllenVora.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The illustrious Johnny Pemberton joins Raghu to explore perspective and trust, comedy as alchemy, and the connection between acting, observation, and truth.Johnny Pemberton is a comedian, actor, podcaster, writer, expert gardener, musician, reggae enthusiast, and friend to both insects and mammals. He can be seen in films like “21 Jump Street” “22 Jump Street” “Neighbors 2” “The Watch” and Armando Ianucci’s Oscar nominated film “In the Loop.” He plays Peanut on Disney’s “Pickle and Peanut,” ‘Bo’ on NBC’s “Superstore”, ‘Max’ on FXX’s “You’re the Worst,” ‘Alangulon’ on the Fox series “Son of Zorn,” amidst his work on Duncan Trussell’s “Midnight Gospel.” Catch Johnny in the Executive Buffet on his Live to Tape podcast. More info and tour dates at JohnnyPemberton.dogSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Intuitive animal communication expert, Lori Ann Spagna, joins Raghu to share about our innate spiritual connection to animals.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingLori Ann Spagna is a Best Selling Author, Speaker, Spiritual Teacher, Ascension Guide, Multi-Dimensional Channel, Intuitive, Animal Communicator, Energy Healer, Lightworker, Visionary and Luminary who assists others to awaken to their alignment with the true Divine Source which exists within each and every being so that all beings can live their best life ever. From: LoriSpagna.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Kornfield and Noah Markus join Raghu for a conversation weaving together Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, intuition, negativity, creativity, forgiveness, and letting go.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Mark Epstein returns with Raghu to discuss the Zen of Therapy—merging eastern spirituality & western psychology—in a conversation spanning Ram Dass, India, & the Self.Dr. Mark Epstein is an author and psychotherapist who has paved the way for the brimming modern cross-section of Western psychology with Buddhist philosophy, writing a number of defining books including the new, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. Learn more at MarkEpsteinMD.com.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Chernikoff joins Raghu Markus for a 'Mindrolling' conversation around aging, dealing with polarity, and how to become at ease with the mystery that is life. David Chernikoff is the author of Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age. He began the study and practice of meditation in 1971, and started teaching Insight Meditation in 1988. David has also studied and practiced with spiritual guides such as Ram Dass and Father Thomas Keating, and previously taught psychology and meditation at Naropa University. Learn more about him at davidchernikoff.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus, Sharon Salzberg, and Ram Dev talk more about the gifts of Ram Dass’ legacy, plus Sharon leads a Metta meditation and answers questions related to that practice.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingGet more wisdom from Sharon Salzberg and Ram Dev (Dale Borglum) on the Be Here Now NetworkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus, Ram Dev, and Roshi Joan Halifax explore the gifts of Ram Dass’s legacy, including his honesty, sense of humor, loving awareness practice, and so much more.Get more wisdom from both Ram Dev (Dale Borglum) and Roshi Joan Halifax on the Be Here Now NetworkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver and Raghu ring in the New Year with a discourse on the wisdom teachings of Tibetan Buddhist Master, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Broderick joins Raghu to offer you all the time in the world, illuminating the science and spirituality of how we can transform our daily lives by learning how to slow down time.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingLisa Broderick is an accomplished senior executive whose career has been defined by understanding how technology impacts society and changes behavior. She is also someone who experiences and studies the world in terms of data, best practices and quantum science. Lisa teaches that life is about constant change, in which energy and matter are the basis of transformation. Now, her groundbreaking new book, All the Time in the World, reveals how new scientific literature is revolutionizing our understanding of what time is and, more importantly, how we can affect it. More info at AllTheTimeBook.comA brand new Ram Dass Dharma book just dropped! Order Ram Dass Words of Wisdom from the LSRF ShopSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Goldberg returns with Raghu to discuss the themes of art, spirituality and social polarization featured in Danny’s timely new book Bloody Crossroads 2020: Art, Entertainment, and Resistance to Trump.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingDanny Goldberg, host of BHNN’s archived Rock & Roles podcast, is a music executive who has spent decades in the business. As a manager, Danny’s clients included Bonnie Raitt, Nirvana, The Allman Brothers Band, and Sonic Youth. As a label executive he was President of Atlantic Records, and Chairman of Warner Bros Records and the Mercury Records Group – among others. His latest book, Bloody Crossroads 2020: Art, Entertainment, and Resistance to Trump, is now available.A brand new Ram Dass Dharma book just dropped! Order Ram Dass Words of Wisdom from the LSRF ShopSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ananda Danielle Krettek Cobb, founder of Google's Empathy Lab, returns to the Mindrolling podcast for a conversation that circles the intersection of technology, empathy, cynicism & magic.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingAnanda Danielle Krettek Cobb is the Founder of Google's Empathy Lab — Google's resident expert on human understanding and flourishing. Danielle is an award-winning creative force with work across design, technology, film, art, architecture and social impact. With her work for Nike, Apple and Google, as well as Ram Dass' Becoming Nobody documentary, Danielle has brought vibrant heart, humanity and beauty to products and culture for nearly 20 years.A brand new Ram Dass Dharma book just dropped! Order Ram Dass Words of Wisdom from the LSRF ShopSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver and Raghu jam on late Tibetan Buddhist Master, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s mind-rolling new book, Cynicism and Magic.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingIn one of their newly infamous “ask the experts” sessions; OG Mindroller, David Silver, returns with Raghu for a meandering conversation gravitating around the teachings of Tibetan Master and founder of Boulder CO’s Naropa University, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Inspired by his new book, Cynicism and Magic, the two friends trade stories and insights, applying Rinpoche’s ancient Buddhist wisdom to our modern afflictions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meditation teacher and author, Amanda Gilbert, joins Raghu to talk about living with kindness, mindfulness, freedom, intention, and compassion.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingAmanda Gilbert is a modern-day meditation teacher, writer and speaker. She has been a meditator for over 15 years and teaches from coast to coast in the US, including in Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, Miami and San Francisco, as well as online. She is a professor of mindfulness at the University of Southern California and the author of Kindness Now: A 28-Day Guide to Living with Authenticity, Intention and Compassion. For more info, please visit AmandaGilbertMeditation.com"Can we allow kindness to be synonymous with being brave, being courageous, being outspoken, being in alignment with the values and change we want to see in the world? Being kind does not mean rolling over into passivity, it doesn't necessarily mean niceness or being a doormat. Being kind is sometimes the hardest thing we are being called to do, especially in the face of our close inner circle triggers, family and friends." – Amanda GilbertA brand new Ram Dass Dharma book drops on Nov. 23rd: Preorder Ram Dass Words of Wisdom from the LSRF ShopSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dev returns to "wing it" with Raghu in an India, Maharaj-ji, Ram Dass, Tantra, devotion, and presence steeped episode.This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/mindrollingRam Dev (Dale Borglum) founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. He has been the Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe and since 1986 in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co­author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, Bantam Books and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life ­threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice.Learn more about Ram Dev’s work via the Living/Dying Project and subscribe to Dale's Healing at the Edge Podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychologist and author, Dr. Mitch Abblett, joins Raghu to share about 'Prizing' – his mindfulness protocol for parents to connect with their children in the present moment.Dr. Mitch Abblett is a clinical psychologist, author, consultant, podcaster, and national and international speaker with publications including: Prizeworthy and The Five Hurdles to Happiness, among others. He speaks and trains nationally and internationally on the applications of mindfulness for enhancing professional and personal communication patterns, and he has served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. For more offerings, and info on his new Prize of Possibility podcast, please visit, DrMitchAbblett.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spiritual Teacher, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, joins Raghu to share her transformational and healing journey from 'Hollywood to the Himalayas' – her trust-fall into the universe.Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati PhD is a renowned spiritual leader, motivational speaker, and bestselling author based in Rishikesh, India. Originally from Los Angeles, California, and a graduate of Stanford University, Sadhviji has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, in the lap of the Himalayas for nearly 25 years engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice. Sadhviji serves as Secretary-General Of The Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, President Of Divine Shakti Foundation, and Director Of The World-Famous International Yoga Festival At Parmarth. She has spoken at United Nations events and has been featured in CNN, NY Times, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, BBC, NPR, and Times of India. More info Sadhviji.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buddhist author Lodro Rinzler throws Trungpa Rinpoche's 'coconuts of wakefulness' at Raghu while offering 'Buddhist advice for anxious times.'Lodro Rinzler is a Buddhist meditation teacher and award-winning author of 7 books, including the bestseller The Buddha Walks Into A Bar, and new book Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times. He is co-founder of MNDFL Meditation studios in NYC, and was named one of '50 Innovators Shaping the Future of Wellness' by SONIMA. Rinzler's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, CBS, and NBC. He has taught meditation for 20 years in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has spoken across the world at conferences, universities, Google, Harvard, and the White House. Lodro resides in the Hudson Valley with his wife and their four-legged family of animals. More at LodroRinzler.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Skool's Mark Wooding joins Raghu to share his unique wisdom infused animations and talk about mass psychosis, nature, polarization, LSD, and finding your purpose.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Be Here Now, Noah Markus joins Raghu in mind-expanding conversation on the continued transformative importance of Ram Dass' 1971 'counter-culture bible.'Raghu welcomes his son – and Mindrolling favorite – Noah Markus back to the podcast for an in-depth dive deep into the pages of Ram Dass' pivotal 1971 book—and namesake of this podcast network—Be Here Now. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary since the culture-changing, mind-expanding, and heart-opening From Bindu to Ojas boxset containing the original Be Here Now arrived on doorsteps, we offer insights from two generations of Markus' directly touched by Ram Dass, his teachings, and his loving presence. Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Thurman and Raghu Markus embark on a Mindrolling conversation that touches on why wisdom is bliss and passes along four friendly fun facts that can change your life.Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. His new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, is now available. Keep up with Robert at bobthurman.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tibetan Master, Mingyur Rinpoche returns with Raghu and Krishna Das to illuminate how we can move from fear and self-hatred to the love and compassion of our innate Buddha Nature.Born in 1975, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a much-loved and accomplished Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher. From a young age, he was drawn to a life of contemplation. In addition to extensive training in the meditative and philosophical traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche has maintained a lifelong interest in Western science and psychology. Rinpoche currently teaches throughout the world, with centers on four continents. His candid and often humorous accounts of his own personal difficulties have endeared him to Buddhist and non-Buddhist students alike. Learn more about Rinpoche and find his worldwide teaching schedule at tergar.org.Celebrate Be Here Now’s 50th anniversary with an in-depth look at the Cookbook For A Sacred Life in our new Ram Dass 21 Day E-Course starting Sept. 13th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Be Here Now, electronic producers Jon Hopkins and East Forest join Raghu to talk, Sit Around The Fire, their new Ram Dass music meditation experience.Jon Hopkins is a Grammy-nominated electronic music producer who has created alongside Brian Eno, Coldplay, & David Holmes. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Be Here Now, Jon has come together with digital music shaman, East Forest, in creation of Sit Around The Fire, a dynamic music-meditation featuring Ram Dass, and accented with moving art from the original brown pages of Be Here Now. This special track, dropping Sept 2nd, will be part of Jon Hopkins’ new album Music For Psychedelic Therapy available everywhere November 6th 2021.“It’s not a simple piece, but it was writing itself. And never have a felt so much just like a vessel. This place was pouring it’s wisdom into the sound.” – Jon HopkinsWatch the music video here: Jon Hopkins with Ram Dass, East Forest - Sit Around The Fire (Official Video)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to interview grammy-nominated recording artist, John Forté, about his upcoming album – Vessels, Angels & Ancestors – featuring Ram Dass, and debuting on Soul Land Records.This episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Raghu Markus is brought to you by BetterHelp.A professional counseling service done securely online. A convenient and affordable way to find the particular expertise you need – wherever you are worldwide. BetterHelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist.As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/mindrollingJoin over 1 million people who have taken charge of their mental health.About this episode's guest: Grammy-nominated recording artist, filmmaker, writer, and activist John Forté was first recognized for his work with the multi-platinum hip-hop group The Fugees. Since then, Forté has been involved in a number of creative and advocacy-based projects. As a classically trained hip-hop and pop veteran, Forté blends sleek rhythms and catchy hooks – in the process turning some difficult life experiences into introspective, uplifting music. His new album Vessels, Angels & Ancestors will release this autumn on Soul Land Records. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Advaita scholar, Acharya Shunya, joins Raghu to talk nonduality, growing up in Ayodhya, reinventing tradition, wholeness over holiness, maryada, The Ramayana, & the guru.Acharya Shunya is a wisdom teacher and a catalyst for empowering health and elevating consciousness worldwide. She is an award-winning and internationally renowned author, speaker and scholar of nondual wisdom (Advaita), and a classically-trained master of Yoga and Ayurveda. She recently released Sovereign Self: Claim Your Inner Joy and Freedom with the Empowering Wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita. For more information, please visit AcharyaShunya.com"My tradition is asking me to lead the boldest version of my life possible. From inner peace, from dharma, and from authenticity." – Acharya ShunyaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author & spiritual coach, Neal Allen, joins Raghu to vulnerably discuss facing our defenses head-on to discover God inside, and shares personal dharma stories involving his wife, Anne Lamott.This episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Raghu Markus is brought to you by BetterHelp. A professional counseling service done securely online. A convenient and affordable way to find the particular expertise you need – wherever you are worldwide. BetterHelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist.As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/mindrollingJoin over 1 million people who have taken charge of their mental health.About today's guest: Neal Allen is a spiritual coach and writer, who after careers as a journalist and corporate executive, has spent his time studying and exploring spiritual traditions, both traditional and new age. He just released Shapes of Truth: Discover God Inside You, which reveals a recent, spectacular discovery about the human soul, and contains a special introduction from his wife, bestselling author, and no stranger to Be Here Now Network, Anne Lamott – who he lives and gardens with in Northern California."All I have to do is spend time in the screwed up defenses that I have established for myself, and simply by watching them in operation and questioning their assumptions and motivations – all the good stuff will show up. I don't have to point myself ever to the good stuff. I don't have to point myself to nirvana. I don't have to fake it till I make it. I don't have to do anything except for remove my defensive systems, then nirvana just pours in." – Neal Allen See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus welcomes fellow podcaster Brandon Beachum to Mindrolling for a conversation encircling the concepts of abundance and power.Brandon Beachum is the author of The Golden Key and host of The Positive Head Podcast. To learn more about Brandon and his work, follow him on Instagram. Head to GoldenKey.Gift and download Brandon’s book (audio or e-book) as a gift using the code ‘mindrolling’See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trevor Hall returns with Raghu to talk fatherhood, touring again, his new album In and Through the Body, the Soul Land Music Series, and staying at home in yourself.In this special, music-filled episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Trevor Hall invite you into a virtual hang session – kicking back and listening to samples from specially curated Trevor Hall tracks, remixes, and a moving kirtan – amidst catching up with Trevor about touring post-pandemic, his new album, and life as a new father.Listen to Trevor Hall's new album, In and Through the Body, and check out his upcoming live tour dates, on TrevorHallMusic.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Sará King joins Raghu Markus for a conversation around cultivating perspective, working through trauma, and how we can become the embodiment of intergenerational healing. Dr. Sará King is a UCLA-trained neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She has over 20 years of experience as a research scientist, and specializes in the study of the relationship between mindfulness, complementary alternative medicine, and social justice. She is the scientific consultant for Peace in Schools, a dharma teacher with Presence Collective, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology, and the founder of MindHeart Consulting, a scientific consultancy offering seminars, research and development, and trauma healing circles.For more on Sará’s offerings, please visit mindheartconsulting.com and follow her at @mindheartcollective.This episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Raghu Markus is brought to you by BetterHelp. A professional counseling service done securely online. A convenient and affordable way to find the particular expertise you need – wherever you are worldwide. BetterHelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist.As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/mindrollingJoin over 1 million people who have taken charge of their mental health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ann Tashi Slater joins Raghu Markus for a Mindrolling conversation about The Tibetan Book of the Dead, and what the journey into death can teach us about our everyday lives.Ann Tashi Slater is a writer and professor based in Tokyo, Japan. She contributes to the New Yorker, the Paris Review, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Tricycle Magazine, the Huffington Post, and others. Find out more about Ann and her work at www.anntashislater.com.This podcast is brought to you by Eaton Hemp – go to eatonhemp.com/beherenow for an exclusive discount!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

B. Alan Wallace joins Raghu to reconcile science and spirituality within the context of Tibetan Buddhism's Great Perfection.B. Alan Wallace PhD is a frequent translator and contributor to meetings between the Dalai Lama and prominent scientists and philosophers, and he has written and translated more than 40 books, including Minding Closely: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness. He is the founder and director of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies and of the Centers for Contemplative Research in Castellina Marittima in Tuscany and in Crestone, Colorado. For more info, please visit AlanWallace.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zen priest and poet, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, returns with Raghu to discuss God, death, time, and relationship at the intersection of Buddhism and Judaism.Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a poet and Zen Buddhist priest. For many years he has taught at the San Francisco Zen Center, the oldest and largest of the new Buddhist organizations in the West, where he served as Co-abbot from 1995-2000. He is presently a Senior Dharma Teacher there as well as the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture. His new book, When You Greet Me I Bow: Notes and Reflections from a Life in Zen explores practice, relationship, social engagement, and spiritual creativity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zoey Markus, Raghu's wise, talented, and entrepreneurial granddaughter, shares her Generation Z perspective on the pandemic, polarizing politics, racism, and kindness as a cure.In this special episode of Mindrolling, after elucidating classic wisdom from Ram Dass about the process of going from "somebody training," to "becoming nobody," Raghu introduces an interview with his multi-talented granddaughter, Zoey Markus. Exploring a Generation Z view on issues of hatred, racism, the pandemic, and polarizing politics; Zoey and Raghu offer wise solutions and antidotes swathed in creativity, mindfulness, and kindness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Alan Watts Organization and Be Here Now Network have come together to bring you a new podcast series that dives deep into the Alan Watts Archive’s 100-hour collection of talks. This Monday, June 7th, discover for yourself why Alan Watts has continued to inspire generations of seekers with the Alan Watts Being in the Way podcast. This exciting new series is hosted by Mark Watts, Alan's son and archive curator. Mark and his guests share Alan Watts’ inspirational work that poetically interprets the wisdom teachings of the East for Western audiences. Set a reminder for June 7th and subscribe to the Alan Watts Being in the Way podcast wherever you get podcasts to receive regular wisdom from Alan Watts - brought to you by the Alan Watts Organization and Ram Dass' Be Here Now Network!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iconic drummer John Densmore joins Raghu Markus for a Mindrolling conversation that touches on the primal drumbeat of life, the poetry and complexity of Jim Morrison, and why silence is golden.John Densmore is best known for his iconic work as the drummer for the American rock and roll band, The Doors. On top of his musical successes, John is also an accomplished author, poet, playwright, and actor. His most recent book, The Seekers: Meetings with Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists), investigates his own relationship with creativity and explores the meaning of artistry with other artists and performers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling podcast, Raghu shares a conversation with author James Nestor about the underestimated power of our breath and how we can work with it.James Nestor is an author and journalist who has written for Outside Magazine, The Atlantic, National Public Radio, The New York Times, Scientific American, Dwell Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more. His New York Times bestselling book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art explores how the human species has lost the ability to breathe properly over the past several hundred thousand years and is now suffering from a laundry list of maladies -- snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, autoimmune disease -- because of it.Visit mrjamesnestor.com to learn more about the book, start practicing with a collection of breathing exercise videos and find a comprehensive guide to breathing and Q&A with experts on how breathing relates to different medical conditions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Google Empathy Lab's Ananda Danielle Krettek Cobb joins Raghu to discuss imagination, trust, & merging Ram Dass' compassionate loving awareness with artificial intelligence technology.Ananda Danielle Krettek Cobb is the Founder of Google's Empathy Lab — Google's resident expert on human understanding and flourishing. Danielle is an award-winning creative force with work across design, technology, film, art, architecture and social impact. With her work for Nike, Apple and Google, as well as Ram Dass' Becoming Nobody documentary, Danielle has brought vibrant heart, humanity and beauty to products and culture for nearly 20 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this virtual journey through 1970s India, Raghu, Krishna Das, Daniel Goleman, and Rameshwar Das compare roadmaps and share stories of Ram Dass, LSD, Maharajji, and miracles.Joining together to help percolate memories and recollections as sustainable fuel for Daniel Goleman's anticipated memoir; Krishna Das, Rameshwar Das, and Daniel join Raghu in this special episode of Mindrolling, outlining their journey to India with Ram Dass in the 1970s, and the life-changing time spent with their mystical guru Neem Karoli Baba, Maharajji. Sharing stories, lilas, darshans, wisdom, jokes, and revelries from years of steeping together as satsang – it's nice to have 'the band back together.'See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judy Lief is a Buddhist teacher who trained under the Tibetan meditation master, Ven. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She has been a teacher and practitioner for over 35 years, and she continues to teach throughout the world. Judy is known for offering insights and practices stemming from the Buddhist tradition as a support for ordinary people facing the difficulties and challenges of modern life. Judy leads retreats and workshops as well as presenting online teachings. For information, offerings, and to listen to her Dharma Glimpses Podcast, please visit JudyLief.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dev rejoins Raghu for a conversation on love, fear, death, faith, grief, compassion, and becoming somebody; sharing mind-blowing Karmapa, Hanuman, & Maharajji darshan stories.Ram Dev (Dale Borglum) founded and directed the Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the first residential facility in the United States to support conscious dying. He has been the Executive Director of the Living/Dying Project in Santa Fe and since 1986 in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co­author with Ram Dass, Daniel Goleman and Dwarka Bonner of Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook, Bantam Books and has taught meditation since 1974. Dale lectures and gives workshops on the topics of meditation, healing, spiritual support for those with life ­threatening illness, and on caregiving as spiritual practice. Learn more about Ram Dev’s work via the Living/Dying Project and subscribe to Dale's Healing at the Edge Podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author & poet, Sitaram Dass, joins Raghu to share on caretaking for Ram Dass, doubt and faith on the path of Guru Kripa, and the wisdom behind his new book: From and For God.Sitaram Dass spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. Through writings, music, teachings, workshops, and one-on-one counseling, he works to strengthen our sense of the Timeless Sacred in today’s modern and fast-paced world. His new book, From and for God, is available now at all online retailers. For more info go to: www.fromandforgod.comThe author donates 100% of his profits to Hanuman Maui, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to preserve Ram Dass’s legacy on Maui and foster community through the teachings of love, service and devotion.Half of those proceeds are specifically designated for Kripa’s service projects through the Sacred Community Project, a program under the direct fiscal sponsorship of Hanuman Maui. Kripa works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices through affordable, free, and donation-based offerings, spiritual support, and prison outreach. Learn more about Kripa at: https://kripa.guruLearn more about Sitaram Dass and contact him at: https://sitaramdass.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ralph De La Rosa and Raghu discuss mantra and bhakti yoga as intelligent self inquiry, compassion as the root of anger, healing our loneliness, and how all paths lead to love.Ralph De La Rosa, LCSW, is an author, psychotherapist, meditation teacher, Buddhist philosopher, and student of Amma. He leads healing retreats at Omega Institute, Spirit Rock, and Kripalu, and his work has been featured in the New York Post, CNN, GQ, SELF, Women's Health, and many more. For information on Ralph's ongoing work and his new book, Don't Tell Me to Relax: Emotional Resilience in the Age of Rage, Feels, and Freak Outs, head over to ralphdelarosa.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poet, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, joins Raghu to discuss poetry as a spiritual path, meeting the blank page with trust, and the joyful daily practice of giving it away.Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband and two children, served as the third Colorado Western Slope Poet Laureate (2015-2017) and was a finalist for Colorado Poet Laureate (2019). Her poetry has appeared in O Magazine, on A Prairie Home Companion and PBS New Hour, in Ted Kooser’s American Life in Poetry, in back alleys and on river rocks. Rosemerry is the co-host of Emerging Form, a podcast on creative process; and teaches and performs poetry for addiction recovery programs, hospice, mindfulness retreats, women’s retreats, teachers and more. For more info, poetry books, and daily poetry offerings please visit, WordWoman.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy-winning recording artist, John Forté, of The Fugees, joins Raghu to talk the spirit of music as community, the highs and lows of success, music as internal alchemy, and headlining the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series.John Forté is a Grammy-winning recording artist best known for his work with the hip-hop group, The Fugees, writing and producing songs on their multi-platinum record The Score. After a stint in prison while riding the volatile waves of success and failure, John coupled his refuge of music with messages of wisdom and love from inspirational spiritual teachers. Listen to John's new album Riddem Drive, and don't miss him on the Soul Land Music Series: Songs & Stories Inspired by Ram Dass, April 30th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan Trussell returns to talk fatherhood, harmonizing the home, and confusion as a condition of enlightenment; in this psychic arm-wrestling match with Krishnamurti's concept of a mischievous me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OG Mindroller, David Silver, rejoins Raghu to share mind-blowing stories with exceptional individuals, giving insight into spiritual discernment, consciousness, psychedelics, compassion, & relationships.The band is back together, as Mindrolling alumni, David Silver, returns with Raghu to share more remarkable stories and epiphanies from his rich, nuanced, deeply authentic, and synchronistic life. For part two of this autobiographical series, curating an assortment of handpicked stories inspired from his upcoming book, David illuminates his life through his relationship with remarkable individuals and extraordinary circumstances, gracefully offering firsthand lessons learned about spiritual discernment, consciousness, psychedelics, compassion, and relationships. From a wildly transformational breakthrough peyote ceremony at a convergence of some of the world's highest shamans, to hilarious and meaningful run-ins with the likes of Phil Spector and Paul Newman, David Silver truly offers one-of-a-kind, holographic, intergenerational wisdom.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anthony Thogmartin, of Papadosio and EarthCry, joins Raghu to discuss the inseparability of music and spirituality, at the brimming intersection of nature and technology.Anthony Thogmartin is a consciousness, technology, and ecologically minded multi-instrumental musician, producer, and teacher best known for his work with the jamtronica outfit Papadosio, and his solo electronic act, EarthCry, aimed at “healing the planet and its people.” Anthony recently stepped into the teaching role with his Seed to Stage Academy, where he shares lessons, both digitally and in group settings, to help up-and-coming musicians and producers learn the art, technology, and fundamentals so they can begin tapping their imaginations, creating music, and playing shows. You can find information about his upcoming offerings, like his newest album Identity Mitosis, at EarthCry.netDon't Miss Anthony performing as EarthCry to kick off this spring's Soul Land Music Series: Songs and Stories Inspired by Ram Dass on March 19th!For the full artist lineup, dates, and details visit RamDass.org/MusicSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Social psychologist, Mary M. Clare, Ph.D, & science writer, Gary Ferguson, join Raghu to help us past the seperation myth, & into a restored balance of full ecology, environment, & human nature.Mary M Clare, Ph.D., brings her lifelong passion for the natural world together with a 30-year career as a social and cultural psychologist. A fellow in the APA with 100+ scholarly articles and two books, she opens doorways for considering how the natural world around and inside of us can be tapped as a guiding force for creating more contented and fruitful lives. For info on her new book with Gary, Full Ecology, please visit FullEcology.com. For Mary's personal offerings, please visit, ClaseConsultation.com.Gary Ferguson, a best-selling science writer and keynote speaker, began his career chronicling the tracks humans leave in nature. Today, he’s working “to portray the tracks nature leaves in us,” with books like, The Eight Master Lessons of Nature, which shines a powerful new light on the dazzling processes that nourish the creative powers of nature. For info on his new book with Mary Full Ecology, please visit FullEcology.com. For Gary's personal offerings, please visit, WildWords.netSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer, Anne Lamott, rejoins Raghu with her unparalleled honesty and humor, to shine twilight's mystical light through the dark of night, exploring the illuminating dawn of hope, faith, forgiveness, repentance, revival, and courage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teacher, David Harshada Wagner, joins Raghu to discuss the intersection of selfless service with becoming nobody, depict the importance of keeping a loving inner guru, & share poetry of Kabir.David Harshada Wagner is a creative mindset consultant, teacher, author, artist and proud father who has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the path of selfless service, spiritual awakening, and radical self-transformation. His training is vast and varied, from 12 Step Recovery training, to the Indian wisdom traditions of Yoga, Bhakti, Vedanta, and Tantric Shaivism. David has served on the faculties of YogaGlo, Kripalu, and Omega, and is the author of Backbone – the Modern Man’s Ultimate Guide to Purpose Passion and Power. David currently is based in in Ojai, California and travels widely serving his worldwide community. For more info, please visit DavidHWagner.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsultrim Allione rejoins Raghu to share rare, behind the scenes, Ram Dass stories, and explore how to work with afflictive emotions by feeding your demons, rather than running from them.One of Mindrolling's favorite reoccurring guests, Lama Tsultrim Allione, returns to join Raghu for an illuminating, fun, and healing conversation. Beginning the talk by sharing exceptionally rare stories of Ram Dass, involving Bhagavan Das and Allen Ginsberg; they naturally flow into potent Maharajji lilas before subtly weaving the conversation into the main topic of the podcast: feeding your demons. Laying down a path away from polarization, and into the oneness of interconnected love, Lama Tsultrim and Raghu brainstorm how to cultivate a new paradigm of being, starting from the inside out.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Cuong Lu drops by Mindrolling to talk about his new book, share stories of studying with Thich Nhat Hanh, and explore how we can all stop the fighting within ourselves.Cuong Lu, a Buddhist teacher, scholar, and writer, was born in Vietnam in 1968 and emigrated to Holland with his family in 1980. In 1993, he was ordained a monk at Plum Village in France under the guidance of Thich Nhat Hanh. Cuong is the founder of the Mind Only School, where he teaches Buddhist philosophy and psychology. His latest book, Wait: A Love Letter to Those in Despair, is available on February 9, 2021.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visionary artists, Allyson and Alex Grey join Raghu to share their deep connection with Ram Dass, Be Here Now, Maharajji, psychedelics, Dzogchen Buddhism, and creativity.Visionary artists, wise psychonauts, and podcasters, Allyson and Alex Grey are co-founders & Ministers of CoSM, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, a transformational art based non-profit which grew into an interfaith church and thriving artist community. Allyson and Alex are currently in the process of constructing Entheon, a sanctuary for visionary art, and sacred, nondenominational temple and hub for visionary artists and inner-seekers. Allyson and Alex host Sunday Art Church events, fusing creativity and dharma; as well as Full Moon Gatherings, which bring together artists, musicians, wisdom teachers, and free-thinkers to honor our cosmic alignment with nature and the creative forces. For a deep dive into their minds, check out their new podcast, The CoSM Podcast, and for updates on Entheon, CoSM, their art and events, visit their website CoSM.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Robert Svoboda rejoins Raghu, with special guest Noah Markus, to share ancient Ayurvedic wisdom elucidating how to navigate our incarnations within the law of karma.Dr. Robert Svoboda is the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra, and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He is the author of twelve books including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution and the Aghora series, which discusses his experiences with his mentor during the years 1975 – 1983. In the years since 1986, Dr. Svoboda has traveled extensively and often speaks on Ayurveda, Jyotish, Tantra, and allied subjects in locales across the world. Subscribe to his many enlightening online courses, and keep up with his offerings at DrSvoboda.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aubrey Marcus returns with Raghu to share poetry and dig into topics of navigating collective karma with intuition, the unconditional love of the mother, and the nature of time and free will.Aubrey Marcus (IG: @aubreymarcus) is the founder of Onnit, a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy he calls Total Human Optimization. Onnit is an Inc. 500 company and an industry leader with products optimizing millions of lives, including many top professional athletes around the world. Aubrey is the author of the NYT bestseller Own The Day, Own Your Life, with a followup Master Your Mind, Master Your Life due out 2021. He currently hosts the Aubrey Marcus Podcast, providing a motivational destination for conversations with the brightest minds in athletics, business, science, relationships, and spirituality. Connect mind, body and spirit at aubreymarcus.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trudy Goodman visits the Mindrolling podcast to share her experiences with Ram Dass and reflect on the impact that his teachings have made in the world.Trudy Goodman Kornfield, Ph.D., is a Vipassana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. She also teaches residential retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center, and Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, among others. Learn more at trudygoodman.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein returns to Mindrolling to share stories about Ram Dass, including how he was the doorway to Joseph’s teaching career and how he inspired Joseph’s mantra of compassion.Don’t forget to preorder Being Ram Dass and leave a message about how Ram Dass influenced you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we crest the anniversary of Ram Dass leaving his body, Sharon Salzberg visits Raghu to share stories about Ram Dass and his amazing capacity to both give and receive love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author, journalist, & activist, Sarah Wilson joins Raghu to discuss balancing the inner spiritual journey with outer action, sharing, and sacrifice in order to be of service to the collective.Sarah Wilson is a former journalist and TV presenter, author and activist, who wrote the New York Times bestsellers I Quit Sugar and First, We Make the Beast Beautiful, which Mark Manson described as, “the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read.” Previously she was editor of Cosmopolitan Australia, host of Masterchef Australia and founder of the largest wellness website in Australia, IQuitSugar.com. In May 2018, Sarah closed the business and gave all money to charity. She now builds and enables charity projects that “engage humans with each other” and campaigns on mental health and climate issues. Sarah ranks as one of the top 200 most influential authors in the world and has a combined digital audience of 2.5 million. Sarah’s latest book, This One Wild and Precious Life, is a soul’s journey through the complexities of climate change, coronavirus, racial inequalities and our disconnection from what matters. For more info, visit SarahWilson.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian & Podcaster, Jamie Kilstein joins Raghu to talk about honesty, vulnerability, f*cking up, atheism, suicide, psychedelics, and spirituality.Jamie Kilstein is a comedian, writer, musician, fighter, and podcaster who hosts, A F*ckup’s Guide to Self-Help, where he talks culture, self-improvement, drugs, mental health, and being an outcast. He describes it as a magical journey of self-discovery, self-loathing, f*cking up, and learning from those f*ck ups. Jamie made his debut tv appearance on Conan and has been seen on MSNBC’s Up with Chris Hayes, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Showtime, and BBC America. For more info visit JamieKilstein.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and podcaster Daniele Bolelli drops by the Mindrolling podcast for a conversation around dealing with fear and suffering, facing loss, and balancing toughness and kindness as we go through life. Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and podcaster. He was born in Italy and currently lives in Los Angeles. Learn more about Daniele at his website, follow him on Twitter, and check out his podcasts, The Drunken Taoist and History on Fire.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alastair McIntosh rejoins to explore climate change through Ram Dass' lens of karma & grace, reframing it as a dangerous opportunity to cultivate a resilient, loving, interconnected future.Writer, speaker, and activist, Alastair McIntosh has been described by BBC TV as “one of the world’s leading environmental campaigners.” A pioneer of modern land reform in Scotland, he helped bring the Isle of Eigg into community ownership. His work focuses on advancement in human ecology, land reform, urban regeneration, and spiritual activism. He just released a new book, Riders on the Storm: The Climate Crisis and the Survival of Being. Learn more about Alastair’s work at AlastairMcIntosh.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniel Goleman joins Raghu to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his paradigm-shifting book, Emotional Intelligence, and discuss the intersection of science and spirituality through the lens of Ram Dass, mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and intuition.Daniel is an internationally known psychologist and author. His New York Times bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence, was named one of the 25 “Most Influential Business Management Books” by TIME Magazine. Daniel is also a board member of the Mind & Life Institute, an organization that fosters dialogues and research collaborations among contemplative practitioners and scientists. Daniel has organized a series of intensive conversations between the Dalai Lama and scientists, and further merged Dharma and science, coauthoring Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. Learn more about Daniel's work at danielgoleman.infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marc Lesser joins Raghu to talk about bringing Zen Buddhism to Google, working with evolutionary fear, cultivating humor and courage, and reclaiming mindfulness as a warmhearted practice.Marc Lesser is a speaker, facilitator, workshop leader, and executive coach, known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training. He is the author of four books, including his 2019 release, Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen. Marc was the co-founder and CEO of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, featuring a mindfulness program he helped develop within Google. Prior to his business and coaching career, he was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling alumni, David Silver, rejoins to share epiphanies inspired by his upcoming book. From elephant parties with John Lennon, to mixtape requests from Gaddafi, to his friendship with Bob Marley, to meeting Malcolm X; David’s stories are truly ones of grace, humor, compassion, & wonder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian, actor, and writer, Pete Holmes, rejoins Raghu to reflect on his experiences with Ram Dass, sharing rare and hilarious stories exemplifying his deeply personal, spiritual transformation.This special episode of Mindrolling is part of a series of conversations for an upcoming book project on individual’s remarkable experiences with Ram Dass. Recorded just months after his Dec 22, 2019 passing on Maui, Raghu invites Pete to share about his personal spiritual journey with Baba Ram Dass. Diving into the cascading catalysts which led him to read Be Here Now, his travels alongside Duncan Trussell to the Love Serve Remember retreats, and his deeply loving and humorous relationship with Ram Dass on Maui, Pete elucidates the unique lilas (divine plays), in his life, which brought him to Ram Dass, Hanuman, and Maharajji.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Multidimensional artist, podcaster, and comedian, Ramin Nazer, joins Raghu to discuss his high-podcast diet, talk Frank Zappa’s idea of expanding through contrasting material, and dive into the topics of art, eternity, practice, creativity, & death.Ramin Nazer is a multitalented artist, podcaster, comedian, game-creator and musician based out of LA. He is best known for his consistent stream of unique, psychedelic-spiritual, bite-sized art for the social media age, as well as his eclectic podcast, The Rainbow Brainskull Hour, where he chats with guests about subjects like creativity, spirituality, psychedelics, music, meditation, and death. You can tap into Ramin’s steady flow of art on his Instagram, and peer into his myriad offerings at RaminNazer.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Robert Roeser joins Raghu to explore how Buddhism and mindfulness practices merge with modern neuroscience and developmental psychology.As Penn State’s first-ever Professor of Caring and Compassion, Robert W. Roeser, PhD is tasked with designing classes that meld the ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation with modern neuroscience to help students become calmer, more focused, and more deeply engaged caring citizens of the world. With a Ph.D. from the Combined Program in Education and Psychology at the University of Michigan and masters degrees in religion and psychology, developmental psychology and clinical social work, Dr. Roeser has been a two-time US Fulbright Scholar in India; a WT Grant Faculty Scholar; and the Senior Program Coordinator for the Mind and Life Institute (Boulder, CO).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Race relations expert Daryl Davis joins Mindrolling to share the incredible story of his work engaging with Ku Klux Klan members and bringing down their walls of ignorance and fear.Daryl Davis is a musician, band leader, actor, author, and race relations expert. He is well known for his work with engaging Ku Klux Klan members, many of whom wind up leaving and denouncing the KKK. Learn more about Daryl and all of his work at daryldavis.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Acclaimed musician SIMRIT joins Raghu to talk growing up adopted, her influences in music and yoga, the practicality of mantra, and trusting your intuition.Chart-topping and world-renowned musician and vocalist, SIMRIT, has been studying and working with the science of sound and consciousness for two decades. SIMRIT creates vibrationally powerful and healing music to impact both positive internal & external change. Decades of study and experimentation with the quantum technology of Naad Yoga (the ancient science of using sound to impact the brain’s neural pathways and chemicals, eliciting altered states of reality) deeply influences her music. Her highly acclaimed courses, including The Supreme Sound 2.0, are studied worldwide. For more information head over to SimritKaurMusic.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye joins Mindrolling for a conversation around grief and gratitude, working with trauma, and the extraordinary healing power of listening.Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye is an integrative psychotherapist and founder of the Heart Nest Center for Peace and Healing in Baltimore. She is a student of the late Sufi Master Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal of Jerusalem, and incorporates Sufi healing into her work with individuals, families, and communities. Dr. Sabrina is also a proud faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, where she teaches the art of self-care to healthcare professionals around the globe. Learn more about her at drsabrinandiaye.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tezra and Koa from the I Am Not That Podcast join Raghu to share their spiritual catalysts, explore victimhood vs empowerment in allyship, and talk self-inquiry and forgiveness.Tezra and Koa are the hosts of the ‘I AM Not that’ podcast, an exploration of how to become liberated from our limiting thoughts, ideals and beliefs, and reclaim our unlimited power of potentiality. They join Raghu to share their own unique sparks of finding the spiritual path, along with their personal journeys in embodying this uncovered wisdom. After sharing their synchronistic story of falling in love, Tezra and Koa dive into the intention behind their podcast, explain the difference between a well-wisher and an ally, and offer advice for self-inquiry and spiritual liberation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Devon and Craig Hase join Raghu to talk tangible mindfulness, authenticity in meditation, and dismantling racism in spiritual communities.Devon has been committed to meditation since 2000, spending years in retreat in the Insight and Vajrayana traditions, and has been mentored by Joseph Goldstein, Tara Brach, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Craig began intensive meditation training in 1994, living in a Zen monastery for six years before getting his PhD in counseling psychology. Together they are teachers and mentors in the spiritual community, and they just released their new book, How Not To Be A Hot Mess. You can find about more their offerings at DevonandCraigHase.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shaman, John Lockley, returns to talk the history of racism in South Africa, healing cultural wounds through listening, and decolonizing the mind.John Lockley began his journey as a young medic drafted into the South African military. He then trained under Zen master Su Bong from South Korea, and returned to post-Apartheid South Africa to spend 10 years in apprenticeship with MaMngwevu, a medicine woman from the Xhosa tribe. John now splits his time teaching in South Africa, Ireland, Europe, and the US. Find out more about John’s work learn more about his Mentoring, In-Person Divinations, Plant Healing and more at johnlockley.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Thurman returns to share stories about Ram Dass, discuss his psychedelic years, and explore the topics of reincarnation, identity and activism.Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. Keep up with Robert at bobthurman.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thanissara joins Raghu to discuss social action, unconscious racism, and the mystery of the collective bardo, before guiding a breathwork meditation.Thanissara, formerly a Buddhist nun for 12 years, has been teaching meditation retreats alongside her partner Kittisaro since 1992. Together they founded Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat in South Africa and co-authored Listening to the Heart, A Contemplative Guide to Engaged Buddhism. She is also author of Time To Stand Up, A Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth, and several poetry books. Thanissara and Kittisaro recently launched Sacred Mountain Sangha, a California based Non Profit that hosts the Dharmapala Training, a two year, seven module training. Keep up to date with her offerings at dharmagiri.org and sacredmountiansangha.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Rinpoche joins Raghu to discuss joyful effort, karma, first-hand experience, and his new book Running Toward Mystery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Goldberg returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to honor the life of civil-rights leader and former United States House Representative John Lewis.John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil-rights leader who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020.John Lewis fulfilled many key roles in the civil rights movement and its actions to end legalized racial segregation in the United States. Lewis was one of the “Big Six” leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. In 1965, Lewis led the Selma to Montgomery marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In an incident that became known as Bloody Sunday, armed Alabama police attacked unarmed civil rights demonstrators, including Lewis, Hosea Williams, and Amelia Boynton.A member of the Democratic Party, Lewis was first elected to Congress in 1986 and served for 17 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Due to his length of service, he became the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. He was a leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1991 as a Chief Deputy Whip and from 2003 as Senior Chief Deputy Whip. Lewis received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Links From This Episode: King In The Wilderness Full Film (Free) | John Lewis Full Interview – King in the Wilderness | John Lewis: Good Trouble – Official Trailer | C.T. Vivian Full Interview – King in the WildernessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mehcad Brooks joins the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around how we can navigate the challenges of the world with inner work and raise our consciousness together.Mehcad Brooks is a multi-talented actor, musician and model. Featuring lead roles in many movies and television shows, Mehcad is most known for his roles in Super Girl, Desperate Housewives and True Blood. Look out for Mehcad in 2021 starring as Jax in the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie. You can keep up with Mehcad online on Instagram and Twitter @MehcadBrooksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Old friends of the show Duncan Trussell and Natasha Leggero join Raghu to celebrate the Be Here Now Network's fourth annual anniversary and share a conversation around how the Indian concept of Kalyānamitra - unconditional spiritual friends - may offer our best hope in these troubled times.Listen to Natasha and her husband Moshe Kasher every week on The Endless Honeymoon Podcast and catch regular episodes of the  Duncan Trussell Family Hour Podcast – both featuring a cavalcade of hilarious, insightful and gifted guests!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAPS founder Rick Doblin returns to Mindrolling for a reality-altering conversation about the psychedelics renaissance happening around his work with MDMA and trauma.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Konda Mason, Mirabai Bush, and Raghu Markus join for a conversation on Cultivating Resilience in the Face of Racial Injustice and Disparity.Dissecting the lie of “not seeing race” and the “Privilege of not knowing”, our speakers examine the intersections of land, race, money, and spirit, and the roles they play in the framework of our society. Through compassion and finding ways to accept unsavory truths, we can learn to open our hearts and realize our interconnection with everyone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Valarie Kaur joins Raghu to discuss revolutionary love, divine rage, joy as resistance, and seeing the world with a warrior’s heart and a Saint’s eyes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nikki Walton joins Raghu to discuss her beginnings as a spiritual seeker, the process of letting go, and how to tune into the silence to find love.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Therapist Ralph De La Rosa returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about finding freedom through the wisdom and practices of both Eastern and Western psychology.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver, Mindrolling alumni and longtime friend, joins Raghu to share wisdom on finding silver linings within the dangerous opportunity of coronavirus. Catching up for the first time since the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic, David and Raghu trade stories and thoughts on how they have been dealing with the the changing times and uncertain future. Each of them have been able to find silver linings amongst the heavy clouds of our current predicament, paving a way for light to enter, no matter the circumstances.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you enjoy the Mindrolling Podcast, we think that you will appreciate this new podcast series from Dr. Robert Svoboda. You can subscribe to the Living With Reality Podcast with Dr. Robert Svoboda in your podcast player to receive regular insight from Dr. Svoboda on integrating the practices of mindfulness into our lives and more easily accepting things as they are.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roshi Joan Halifax returns to Mindrolling to remember her unique and playful relationship with Ram Dass, and talk about how wise hope is rooted in the radical uncertainty we face today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What can the wisdom of indigenous communities teach us about overcoming our narratives, working with the ego, and dissolving the barriers between ourselves and others? Tyson Yunkaporta joins Raghu for a conversation around how adopting indigenous thinking might help us change ourselves and the world for the better.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychologist and author Dr. Rick Hanson visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around cultivating resilience, healing trauma and the practices that are available for training our reactivity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicholas Petricca, lead singer of the rock band Walk the Moon, joins Raghu for a conversation about healing with music, connecting with others and bringing awareness to our suffering.Would you like to be part of the next generation of mindfulness meditation instructors? If so, we invite you to take a unique opportunity to study with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and become a certified instructor to guide others in their practice – The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program: A Two-Year Training Program for Teaching Awareness and Compassion-Based PracticesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary singer-songwriter Steve Earle drops by Mindrolling for a conversation around Rock and Roll, LSD, 12-step programs, and his son’s very special connection with Ram Dass.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The great Sharon Salzberg returns to Mindrolling to provide Raghu Markus some guidance on grief and emotional resilience, and talk about her new book on change and social action.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the Coronavirus raging worldwide, Raghu Markus calls on James Gordon, MD, to provide some tools to help us transform trauma and embrace hope.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special session from the 2015 Spring on Maui Retreat, Ram Dass and Duncan Trussell join Raghu Markus for a playful and thought-provoking conversation on courage, trust, and love. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lily Cushman drops by Mindrolling to talk about the meaning of mantra, and how a spoonful of music can help the medicine of mantra go down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tara Brach joins Mindrolling for a discussion around awakening from the grip of fear, RAIN-ing on blame and judgment, and breaking the trance of unworthiness.Would you like to be part of the next generation of mindfulness meditation instructors? If so, we invite you to take a unique opportunity to study with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and become a certified instructor to guide others in their practice – The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program: A Two-Year Training Program for Teaching Awareness and Compassion-Based PracticesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Norma Levine visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about her experiences and lessons learned through her relationship with Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the exiled spiritual king of Bhutan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Goldberg returns to Mindrolling to chat about the current landscape in politics and how we can deal with the polarization caused by our fear driven social structures.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zen meditation teacher Deborah Eden Tull drops by Mindrolling for a conversation around turning towards pain and suffering, processing fear, and cultivating ‘we’ consciousness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus welcomes author and journalist Krista Tippett onto the Mindrolling Podcast for a loving remembrance of Ram Dass' teachings and an exploration of how we can get free through love, acceptance, and inner inquiry.Krista Tippett is an American journalist, author, and entrepreneur. She is the creator and host of the public radio program and podcast On Being. In 2014, Tippett was awarded the National Humanities Medal by U.S. President Barack Obama. Subscribe to On Being and find thoughtfully curated collections of audio, essays, and poetry from The On Being Project’s deep archive at onbeing.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein drops by Mindrolling for a conversation around investigating and uncovering afflictive emotions such as grief, loss, and anxiety, and how we can turn up the dial of intentionality.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Musician, writer, and artist Bunny Micheal joins Raghu on the Mindrolling Podcast to talk about how we can bring awareness and acceptance to all aspects of ourselves.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Bruce Damer drops by Mindrolling for a conversation around why evolution is about lifting and gifting, the origin of life and consciousness, and creating a spacious awareness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu and guest host Noah Markus speak with director Jamie Catto about creating the film Becoming Nobody with Ram Dass.Recorded shortly after the passing of Ram Dass, this episode celebrates Ram Dass' teachings around death and looks at how the film Becoming Nobody can be a valuable tool in our journey of awakening. Becoming Nobody is available now on DVD and digital download.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver joins Raghu Markus to talk about Ram Dass’s journey into the mystery of death, and reflect on an interview they did with Ram Dass around the power of self-honesty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan Trussell and Dr. Robert Svoboda continue their Mindrolling conversation with Raghu around trust and surrender, decentralized gurus, and the complexity of everyday karma.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan Trussell and Dr. Robert Svoboda join Raghu for a conversation about karma and rewriting our false narratives.This podcast was recorded live on stage at the 2019 Open Your Heart in Paradise Retreat in Maui. Sign up for the Ram Dass mailing list to get information about upcoming retreats, exclusive free teachings and announcements at RamDass.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s what’s happening when fast friends Pete Holmes and Michael Gungor drop by Mindrolling to talk about becoming nobody, non-duality, and the intersection of wisdom and heart.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel joins Raghu Markus on the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around the roles that grace and faith play in our journey of awakening.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The multi-talented Kelly Carlin joins Raghu for a conversation around working with our suffering and waking up to our true selves.Kelly Carlin is a writer, speaker and broadcast host. Kelly is also a practitioner of Zen Buddhism, has a Masters in Jungian/Archetypal psychology and a producer on-screen and in the theater. Daughter of comedian George Carlin, Kelly comes from a family steeped in comedy, full of big ideas and warm hearts. Learn more about Kelly’s work, find her podcast, radio show and more at thekellycarlinsite.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Surya Das and Raghu Markus share stories about their gurus as they explore the Bhakti-Buddhist connection, a meeting point of warm compassion and cool wisdom.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buddhist teacher Shantum Seth joins Mindrolling to talk about his time with Thich Nhat Hanh, using the breath as an anchor to the present, and the power of the Sangha.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and clinical psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove joins Raghu for a conversation around consciousness, identity and the intersection of science and spirituality.Jeffrey Mishlove, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, an accomplished radio and television interviewer, and one of the most erudite and articulate personalities on television. Jeffrey holds the only doctoral diploma in parapsychology to be awarded by an accredited American university. Learn more about Jeff and his work at thinkingallowed.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu shares his second collection of essential and practical practices, curated from conversations with some amazing teachers, to help with living a life in balance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to Mindrolling for a free flowing conversation with Raghu around ego-based projections, how becoming nobody is the antidote to anger, and dependent origination. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu shares a collection of essential practices, specially curated from conversations with some of his most beloved teachers, to help us navigate our daily lives and create a sense of balance in a chaotic world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shelby Hartman and Madison Margolin, founders of the psychedelic focused magazine DoubleBlind, join Raghu for a conversation about their work covering the renaissance of psychedelics in our culture, politics and daily lives.DoubleBlind is a biannual print magazine and media company covering timely, untold stories about the expansion of psychedelics around the globe. Find unique articles and learn more about DoubleBlind at doubleblindmag.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the best of the Buddhists on Mindrolling! Raghu shares a collection of thought-provoking conversations with some of his beloved Buddhist teachers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Musician and author Michael Gungor drops by Mindrolling to talk about navigating the spiritual path and letting go of the stories we tell ourselves.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Nichtern returns to Mindrolling to talk about his upcoming book, his new podcast, and how we can break free from our illusory sense of reality.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dale Borglum drops by Mindrolling to chat with Raghu about shifting our view of life away from identification with the thinking mind and the stories we tell ourselves to that of pure awareness itself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trudy Goodman, Duncan Trussell, and Google Empathy Lab founder Ananda Danielle Krettek join Mindrolling to discuss what Becoming Nobody means to them, the intersection of technology and spirituality, and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pouria Montazeri visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation with Raghu around the poetry of Rumi and the different paths of the heart.Pouria Montazeri grew up with Rumi’s poetry and teachings. He draws from his 28 years of experience with Sufism, Advaita Vedanta, and other mystical and contemplative practices and his experiences as a teacher, spiritual director/coach, speaker, poet, mindfulness instructor, sangha guide, mentor, and filmmaker to support himself and others to live more creative, peaceful, and meaningful lives. He wrote, directed, and shot the award-winning film, Shams & Rumi: The Fragrance of Axis Mundi. Learn more about Pouria and his tuition-free in-person and online courses dedicated to providing authentic translations and windows into the heart of Rumi’s teachings at footprintsofrum.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shaman John Lockley returns to the Mindrolling podcast to discuss the importance of preserving and reconnecting with the wilderness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Goldberg returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to share stories from his new biography that remembers the life of Kurt Cobain.In this episode, record executive and artist manager Danny Goldberg speaks about his close relationship with Kurt Cobain and reflects on the addiction that Kurt struggled with so greatly. Raghu shares a letter written to Ram Dass that brings to question how we react to the darkness and suffering that exists in the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

East Forest returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to celebrate the release of “Ram Dass”, the full-length album that pairs soul-stirring music with the wisdom of Ram Dass like never before.Listen to samples from “Ram Dass” by East Forest x Ram Dass and find upcoming events with East Forest at EastForest.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clinical psychologist Anthony P. Bossis joins Raghu on the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about his research on psychedelics and learning to put trust in consciousness through the psychedelic experience.Anthony P. Bossis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine. He conducts FDA approved psychedelic research investigating the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin on existential and psycho-spiritual distress at the end of life. Anthony is a co-founder of Palliative Care Service at Bellevue Hospital and on the advisory committee and faculty for the Art of Dying Institute in New York City where he maintains a private psychotherapy practice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-host David Silver returns to celebrate 300 episodes of Mindrolling!David and Raghu share their favorite memories from the past 300 episodes and dip into the Ram Dass archives to share wisdom around the cultivation of awareness and personal transformation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koshin Paley Ellison returns to Mindrolling for a free-flowing conversation that touches on lone wolves, social media zombies, service, and the importance of paying attention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for an exploration of the different states of bardo and the practices that help us better navigate them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan Trussell returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation with Raghu about navigating unknown spaces in our lives and the option that always exists to turn away from our destructive patterns.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by renown activist Alastair McIntosh for a conversation about integrating spirituality, environmental conservation and social activism.Alastair McIntosh has been described by BBC TV as “one of the world’s leading environmental campaigners.” A pioneer of modern land reform in Scotland, he helped bring the Isle of Eigg into community ownership. Alastair guest lectures at military staff colleges, most notably the UK Defence Academy, on nonviolence.Learn more at AlastairMcIntosh.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Live from the 13th Annual “Open Your Heart in Paradise” Retreat, Raghu Markus is joined on stage by Anne Lamott, Duncan Trussell and Pete Holmes for a conversation around practices and perspectives that we can use to pursue our journey of awakening with an honest heart.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fleet Maull visits Raghu on the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about the practices and perspectives that can help us all move about our daily lives with grace.Fleet Maull, PhD, CMT-P, is an author, consultant, trainer and executive coach. Fleet also serves as a meditation teacher, consultant, trainer, social entrepreneur, and end-of-life care educator.In this episode, Fleet shares how the practices of service, mindfulness and compassion enabled positive personal transformation during his 15 years in prison. He looks at how taking radical responsibility for our life can allow us to move beyond fear.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Loch Kelly returns for an exploration of the ways we can use the powerful practice of effortless mindfulness to connect to our true nature and live from an expansive place of loving awareness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tim Desmond visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about how mindfulness practice can get us through the greatest difficulties that life has in store for us.A psychotherapist, author, and faculty Scholar at Antioch University New England, Tim Desmond is also a long time student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Tim is a co-founder of Morning Sun Mindfulness Center and a teacher of mindfulness and self-compassion practices audiences around the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and the floating factors of being in nothingness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Tibetan teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, shares a conversation with Raghu Markus and Krishna Das about navigating the path of spiritual practice.Born in 1975, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a much-loved and accomplished Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher. From a young age, he was drawn to a life of contemplation. In addition to extensive training in the meditative and philosophical traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Rinpoche has maintained a lifelong interest in Western science and psychology. Rinpoche currently teaches throughout the world, with centers on four continents. His candid, often humorous accounts of his own personal difficulties have endeared him to Buddhist and non-Buddhist students alike. Learn more about Rinpoche and find his world wide teaching schedule at tergar.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu is joined by Zen priest Zoketsu Norman Fischer for a conversation about the ways that we can bring balance and compassion into our lives.Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a poet and Zen Buddhist priest. For many years he has taught at the San Francisco Zen Center, the oldest and largest of the new Buddhist organizations in the West, where he served as Co-abbot from 1995-2000. He is presently a Senior Dharma Teacher there as well as the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus is joined live on stage by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, and Joseph Goldstein!In this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu and his guests discuss what set them on the spiritual path early in life and explore the link between generosity, compassion and the spiritual awakening. Our group of Buddhist teachers closes the show with a unique round-robin meditation session. This episode was recorded live from the 2018 Open Your Heart In Paradise retreat with Ram Dass and friends.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kanwer Singh, aka Humble The Poet, visits Raghu Markus on the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around building a better life from rock bottom, using fear as a tool, bringing awareness to our feelings and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Judson Brewer visits the Mindrolling Podcast for an exploration of how we can overcome the craving and habits of the mind.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and entrepreneur Aubrey Marcus visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about what is necessary to wake up from our false narratives and live life fully.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mirabai Starr, the author of Wild Mercy, shares a conversation with Raghu Markus about the subversive wisdom of mystics throughout history and bringing balance to the feminine and masculine within ourselves.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and artist Amber Rae visits the Mindrolling Podcast! Explore the possibility of overcoming our fears, discomforts, and false narratives by pursuing our inner wonder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Mark Epstein returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation that touches on the topics of emptiness, untangling our self-narrative and working with the fear that comes with impermanence and surrender.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and speaker Charles Eisenstein visits Mindrolling to talk about climate change, the societal myths that steer us wrong, and transcending our own stories.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contemplative psychotherapist Dr. Miles Neale visits Mindrolling to chat with Raghu about intuition, emptiness, renunciation, and the mystical being that is Bob Thurman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bestselling author Martha Beck visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation with Raghu that touches on how we can best navigate the waves of change, uncover our true nature and find freedom through telling the truth.Martha Beck is the author of several bestselling memoirs and self-help books, life coach and columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling co-host David Silver returns to the podcast for a conversation that looks at the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche that show us how we can best live an ordinary life in the modern world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Anne Lamott returns to the Mindrolling Podcast! She and Raghu talk about finding hope through the practice of compassion, escaping our narratives and liberating ourselves from our fear of death.Anne Lamott writes and speaks about subjects that begin with capital letters: Alcoholism, Motherhood, Jesus, Hope. But armed with self-effacing humor – she is laugh-out-loud funny – and ruthless honesty, Lamott converts her subjects into enchantment. Actually, she writes about what most of us don’t like to think about. In all her novels, she writes about loss – loss of loved ones and loss of personal control. She doesn’t try to sugar-coat the sadness, frustration and disappointment, but tells her stories with honesty, compassion and a pureness of voice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Ralph De La Rosa shares a conversation with Raghu about moving beyond the wounded narratives of our monkey mind with spiritual practice.Ralph De La Rosa is the author of the #1 bestselling The Monkey Is the Messenger: Meditation & What Your Busy Mind Is Trying to Tell You and has been named amongst Sonima’s “Next Generation of Meditation Teachers.” Ralph is a state-licensed therapist in private practice in NYC and offers virtual life coaching services to clients all over the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, Mirabai Bush shares a conversation with Raghu about reworking the conditioning of the brain, bringing clarity to the moment and the practice of being with someone in their time of dying.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian and actor Pete Holmes returns to the Mindrolling Podcast, sharing a conversation with Raghu that touches on generosity, spiritual practice and seeing through the stories we tell ourselves.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael “Jadu” Daner returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to share more stories of the seekers and smugglers who traveled The Hippie Trail.Michael “Jadu” Daner is the co-founder of the Conscious Living: Conscious Working Program. In Goa, India in 1970 Michael was inspired to begin practicing yoga and meditation. He explored Bhakti Yoga as a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, studied Dzogchen Buddhism with Namkhai Norbu, and returned to the West to teach mindfulness practices in NYC for 14 years at NY Insight. Learn more at michaeldaner.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Nichtern and Duncan Trussell return to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about understanding the real value of emptiness and recognizing the active role we play in our own ignorance.How can we cultivate the ability to see through the distortion of our own thoughts and emotions? In this episode, the group examines what the Buddhist teachings around dependent origination and emptiness can teach us about seeing through the fabrications of the mind.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and teacher Thanissara joins Raghu for a conversation about the waking up together and breaking our karmic patterns.Thanissara, author of Time To Stand Up, A Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth, was a Buddhist nun for 12 years. She has been teaching meditation retreats with her partner Kittisaro since 1992. Together they founded Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat in 2000 in South Africa and co-authored Listening to the Heart, A Contemplative Guide to Engaged Buddhism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu is joined live on stage by Ram Dass, Trudy Goodman, Jack Kornfield, and Duncan Trussell to explore practices for waking up from the movie of “me”.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This time on the Mindrolling Podcast, Dr. Dan Siegel shares a conversation with Raghu around the exploration of consciousness and the intersection between science and awareness.Dan Siegel, MD, is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of mindsight, which teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families and communities. Learn more at drdansiegel.com.Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-268-dr-dan-siegel/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Surya Das returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about navigating the battlefield of our interior selves. Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-267-the-interior-battlefield-with-lama-surya-das/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Old friend and former host, David Silver, of Mindrolling Podcast is back to talk about correcting our own wrong knowing with compassion and wisdom.Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-266-wrong-knowing-with-david-silver/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on The Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu sits down with Sister Jenna and Gagan Levy to talk about bringing a sense of sacredness and compassion to social action. The group talks about methods of approaching the intersection of media and activism in a way that does not require fear to engage the public.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-265-a-sacred-theory-of-change-with-sister-jenna-and-gagan-levy/Sister Jenna is a spiritual leader, author, radio host and TV personality, renowned speaker and founder of the Meditation Museum I & II in metropolitan Washington, DC. Selected by EBW2020 as one of the 100 most influential leaders for 2015, her mission is to decode critical current issues and offer a perspective for folks to find clarity, power, and insight. Find meditations from Sister Levey and more at americameditating.org.Gagan (Jared Levy) sits on the board of directors for the prestigious Social Venture Network, a premier socially responsible business community, as well as the board of Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation. Also, an adjunct professor for the University of Colorado advertising program and frequent speaker/contributor for many universities, conferences and corporate events. Learn more at WeAreGuru.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu sits down with Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber for a heartwarming conversation about the emphasis of grace at the heart of the Lutheran tradition and breaking the cycle of harm with forgiveness.Find show notes and resources: beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-264-nadia-bolz-weber/ Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado.  She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, as well as Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television and the New York Times bestselling theological memoir, Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around the fixation on “me” that we all share and an exploration of ways that we can transform our own narratives and how we relate to the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Mitch Abblett shares a conversation with Raghu about the hurdles that get in the way of our happiness and cloud our awareness.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-262-hurdles-to-happiness/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu continues his conversation with Robert Thurman, Krishna Das and Duncan Trussell around questions of death and cultivating a heart of compassion.The group touches on questions of enlightenment, karma, ego, death, and the doorway to love that is opened through faith.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-261-doorway-of-faith/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Live from the 2018 “Spring on Maui” retreat, Raghu is joined by Robert Thurman, Krishna Das and Duncan Trussell for a conversation that explores difficult questions around death and embracing the emptiness that comes from the practice of compassion.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-260-spring-on-maui-part-1/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, Dr. Omid Safi joins Raghu for a conversation about the path of radical love found in the Sufi tradition. Show notes and resources: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-259-sufi-heart/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nina Rao visits the Mindrolling Podcast for a chat with Raghu about the transformative power of mantra and the fruits of pursuing a spiritual path.Find show notes and resources here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-258-nina-rao/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu shares an open-hearted exploration of mantra, mythology and archetypes in the Hindu tradition with his guest Dr. Manoj Chalam.Dr. Manoj Chalam uses humor and personal anecdotes in his lectures and workshops to illuminate Hindu mythology. An Indian-born scientist with a Ph.D. from Cornell University, Manoj helps individuals find their archetypes in Hindu Yogic deities and teaches the 4 ways to work with an archetype as a Vedantic practice. Find upcoming events with Manoj and his wife Jyothi: Unique Arts  Find show notes and resources: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-257-dr-manoj-chalam/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adyashanti shares a discussion with Raghu about facing challenges along the spiritual path and finding a balance between effort and grace.Find show notes and book recommendations here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-256-adyashanti/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu shares a conversation with author and meditation teacher Spring Washam about finding liberation by turning towards suffering with a clear mind and compassionate heart.Spring Washam is a meditation teacher, author and visionary leader based in southern California. She is one of the founders and core teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, located in downtown Oakland. She has been extensively trained by Jack Kornfield and is a member of the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in northern California.Find show notes and links: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-255-spring-washam/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rick Jarow shares a conversation with Raghu about the practice of right-livelihood, the yoga of work, and shares strategies from his Ultimate Anti-Career Guide.Rick Jarow, Ph.D. has transformed the way the world thinks about their work, purpose and vocation. As the pioneer of the anti-career movement and author of Creating the Work You Love, he has helped thousands open to their intuition, transform their values into action, and answer their true calling… instead of settling for yet another job.Find links and show notes here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-254-joga-of-work/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Loch Kelly shares a conversation with Raghu about moving into in the space beyond ego with the practice of effortless mindfulness.Find show notes and links here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-253-effortless/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation about Carl Jung, the influence of Eastern philosophy in Jung's work and his private study of the Self that lies beyond ego.Find show notes, images from The Red Book and suggested links: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-252-carl-jung/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by, author and teacher, Gangaji who shares memories of her Guru, Papaji, talks about what it means to surrender to trust and reflects on the difficulties encountered on the spiritual path.Find links and show notes here: https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-ep-251-gangajiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Justin Boreta, from the electronic band Glitch Mob, joins Raghu and Rachael Fisher, Content & Development Director at LSRF, for a conversation around the intersection of spiritual practice and the transformative power of music.Links from this episode: Imagine – Ram Dass & Boreta | Glitch Mob | Propeller See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shep Gordon joins Raghu to talk about some of the lessons around service, trust and equanimity he learned while working with some of the most prominent celebrities and figures of his time.In the course of his legendary career as a manager, agent, and producer, Shep Gordon has worked with, and befriended, some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, from Alice Cooper to Groucho Marx, Blondie to Jimi Hendrix, Sylvester Stallone to Salvador Dali. He is also credited with inventing the “celebrity chef,” and has worked with Nobu Matsuhisa, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Roger Vergé, and many others, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Don Miguel Ruiz visits the Mindrolling podcast for a conversation about three essential questions that drive our lives and govern our spiritual power.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrollling Podcast, Michael Taft drops in for a conversation about deconstructing our ego, bringing life into balance and dealing with afflictive emotions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Grosso returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to talk about overcoming our self-defeating behaviors with spiritual practice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Trevor Hall joins Raghu for a conversation about the growth that can come from turning towards our suffering in periods of fruitful darkness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nick Polizzi returns to the Mindrolling Podcast to discuss the ways that sacred medicines can transform how we relate to death, fear and the world at large. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anne Lamott and Duncan Trussell join Raghu for an honest chat about taking the fear out of our relationship with death.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Nichtern returns to the show for a conversation about lifting the veils of reality, understanding the key components of awareness and recognizing the seeds of karma. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Thurman returns to the show for a conversation about facing reality, transforming our reactivity and understanding karma.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, journalist Sally Quinn joins the show to talk about her search for God as an agnostic, finding meaning in suffering and embracing the transformational power of love.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Scott Kriens, founder of 1440 Multiversity, and Jared “Gagen” Levey, founder of Guru Media Solutions, for a conversation around the rise of contemplative practice, the pursuit of authentic leadership and bringing mindfulness into our roles in the workplace.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Shefali Tsabary joins the show for a conversation around the cultivation of mindfulness, conscious parenting and methods for living an awakened life.Dr. Shefali is a world-renowned clinical psychologist who specializes in the integration of Eastern philosophy and Western psychology. She lectures extensively on mindful living and conscious parenting around the world and is in private practice in NYC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, Lama Tsultrim Allione returns for a conversation around the practice of mandala and connecting with the aspect of the divine feminine known as the Dakini.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast Dr. Mark Epstein joins the podcast to talk about changing our perspective and getting over ourselves with the tools of Buddhist practice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Musician East Forest, aka Trevor Oswalt, joins the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around music, psychedelics and spirituality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Ethan Nichtern joins the show to talk about sharing the teachings of Buddhism in a more relatable way and following our karmic road home. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Roshi Joan Halifax returns to the show for a conversation around finding freedom at the edge where fear and courage meet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alan Watt’s eldest daughters, Anne and Joan Watts, join the show to talk about their father’s work and his recently published collection of letters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Raghu is joined by Lama Surya Das for a conversation about how we approach reality and karma. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg and Raghu share a conversation about the process of getting real with ourselves with the help of mindfulness and meditation practice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein returns to the show to help unpack a few challenging Dharmic concepts and opens our eyes to the subtle craving of becoming. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Kornfield returns to the show to talk about how spiritual practice provides a place of peace and security within ourselves that we can always return to. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedians Duncan Trussell and Pete Holmes return to the podcast for a conversation around trust and what happens when the world as we know it comes crashing down around us.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Bluewolf joins the show to talk about the lessons of peace, equanimity and divine purpose taught by his Muscogee Native American tradition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a special conversation about entering 2018 with mindfulness and compassion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Dr. Gabor Maté for a conversation about the Hungry Ghost Realm of addiction and healing from trauma with compassionate inquiry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Dr. Robert Svoboda for a conversation about karma and the Tantric traditions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamie Catto joins the podcast to talk about how we can transform our suffering with spiritual practice and a change of perspective.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Live from the 2017 Spring on Maui Retreat, Raghu is joined by Duncan Trussell, Sharon Salzberg and David Nichtern for a conversation about spiritual practice and the inner journey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fresh from retreat in India, Krishna Das returns to the podcast for a conversation around finding trust in the heart with the grace of the Guru.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Performing artist and yoga teacher MC YOGI visits the show to talk about the transformative power of music and living a balanced life with spiritual practice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, kirtan artist Jahnavi Harrison returns to talk about trust, commitment and the path of Bhakti yoga.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vincent Horn, from the Buddhist Geeks podcast, returns for a conversation around psychedelics, surrender and the self. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon, author of The Dharma of Dogs, returns for a conversation about the relationships we form with our animals and the wisdom they have to teach us.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South African shaman, John Lockley, returns to talk about his book, Leopard Warrior, and share wisdom about dreams, the rhythm of truth and finding our center. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling podcast, Rabbi Naomi Levy shares her journey of searching for the soul and discusses the wisdom shared by all spiritual traditions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Jeffrey Long visits the Mindrolling podcast to talk about his fascinating research around near death experiences. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author, Pico Iyer, visits the Mindrolling podcast for a conversation about inner exploration, Zen Buddhism, and the Dalai Lama.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author, Barbara Bonner, visits the show to talk about inspiring generosity and courage within ourselves and in others.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Director of "Fierce Grace", Mickey Lemle, returns to the podcast to talk about his latest film, “The Last Dalai Lama?” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trudy Goodman joins the show for a conversation around meeting everything life has to offer with an open heart and harmonize with what is. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Outdoorsman, author and teacher, Jaimal Yogis, visits the show to talk about his latest book, "All Our Waves are Water." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver and Duncan Trussell return for a very special 200th episode of the Mindrolling podcast!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Mindrolling podcast, Rabbi Rami Shapiro returns to talk about the perennial teachings found in his new book, “The World Wisdom Bible.”Raghu and Rabbi Rami Shapiro discuss the shared message that can be found in the major world religious once we look past the surface differences.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg joins Raghu Markus from one of the Life In Balance Q&A webinars, answering questions about meditation practice, dealing with fear and learning to trust.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joel Solomon and Jared Levy join the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation around changing the world by developing sustainable businesses that build social and financial equity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Kornfield joins the Mindrolling podcast to talk about trust, freedom from troubled emotions, and Jack’s newest book “No Time Like The Present.” Raghu shares excerpts from “No Time Like The Present,” and the two discuss the uncertain times we find ourselves in and how loving-awareness practice can see us through them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joel Salinas M.D. joins the Mindrolling podcast to talk about his book, “Mirror Touch,” and the phenomena of mirror-touch synesthesia. Raghu and Joel discuss this fascinating phenomenon which blurs the boundaries between the self and others. They talk about the importance of inner work and how different spiritual practices affect our physiology. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Goldberg joins the Mindrolling podcast to talk about his new book “In Search of the Lost Chord: 1967 and the Hippie Idea.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Robert Thurman joins the Mindrolling podcast to talk about his time with the Dalai Lama, Loving Activism, and finding space within. Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Mindrolling, profound musician, Benjy Wertheimer, shares his practice of Nāda yoga along with stories of his study under legendary musician Ali Akbar Khan. Raghu and Benjy discuss the consciousness changing qualities of devotional music and how those insights can be used to better interact with ourselves and the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by his old friends, and armchair Ramayana scholars, Rameshwar Das and Krishna Das, for an in-depth discussion on the Ramayana and how it can impact our daily lives. Using K.K. Sah's insightful Ramayana commentary as a reference, the group explores the nine forms of devotion taught in the Ramayana. They give a fresh perspective on true devotion and how we can all apply its lessons in our day-to-day living. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Silver returns to share words of peace and wisdom for an upside-down world from the sage Thích Nhất Hạnh. Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh is the epitome of peace, mindfulness and awareness. David and Raghu talk about how we can transform Hạnh’s wisdom into inner and outer change. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jared “Gagan” Levy returns to Mindrolling to talk about the realities of social action and turning compassion into the passion. When we turn compassion into passion, it is possible to prevent social action from transforming our compassion into anger. Gagan and Raghu reflect on the teachings of Ram Dass and encourage us to redirect our anger into passion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anne Lamott visits Mindrolling to talk about her new book, “Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy.” These days, the need for rediscovering mercy is more important than ever. Anne Lamott shares a fresh way to look at mercy and the importance of showing it to ourselves as much as we do others. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spiritual success coach, motivational speaker and author, Joanna Garzilli, visits Mindrolling to talk about intuition and big miracles. Joanna teaches her clients to use their gift of intuition and to lead through service. She and Raghu discuss fulfilling our soul’s blueprint, taking responsibility for our lives and overcoming the traps set by our ego and fears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

YouTube sensation, JP Sears, visits Mindrolling to talk about his unique form of satire and new book, "How to Be Ultra Spiritual." JP Sears is an emotional healing coach and international teacher, whose work is intended to empower people to empower themselves to live more meaningful lives. JP is most known for his satirical YouTube series, "Awaken With JP." JP's witty and insightful form of comedy shines a light of critical honesty that aims to make us consider ourselves, and life, in a more thoughtful way. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Mindrolling, Raghu is joined by inspirational YouTube personalities, Dakota Wint and Koi Fresco, to talk about the next generation of spiritual seekers. Dakota Wint and Koi Fresco are two seekers who guide other young people with their insightful and creative YouTube channels. They talk about how to engage the world in a positive way, as well as discuss the similarities between the 60’s and the world we live in now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychologist, Dr. Paul Ekman, visits Mindrolling to discuss his influential research, work with the Dali Lama and our relationship to emotions. Dr. Paul Ekman's research on emotions and non-verbal behavior explore what we share and what links us all together. He and Raghu dive into the nature of emotions and how we respond to them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roshi Joan Halifax joins Raghu to talk about anger and the integration of justice and love. What do we do with the anger incited by social injustice? Roshi Joan talks about equanimity and the role that our perspective of anger plays in the integration of justice and love. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by his good friends Duncan Trussell and Pete Holmes to search their synaptic cleft for consciousness and the guru. The group talks about whether experiencing a fully realized being in spirit is the same as encountering them in the flesh. They ask questions about the nature of consciousness, in and beyond the synaptic cleft, and what it is to open your heart to the possibility of something bigger than anything the material world has to offer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Surya Das joins Raghu to talk about our political sea change, responding to anger, and encourage us all to find our authentic selves and "mensch up." How do we deal with our reactivity and anger? Lama Surya Das gives practical advice on how to deal with anger in the moment. He encourages us to use courage and compassion to "mensch up" and become our most authentic selves. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poet and activist, Mona Haydar, joins Raghu to talk about connecting with others, transforming challenges, and showing love, always. Mona practices a life of sacred activism, poetry, contemplation and advocacy for living gently upon the Earth. She teaches classes and retreats on mindfulness and Islamic spirituality, leads workshops on creative writing and performs her poetry. Her words have found homes in the hearts of seekers, wanderers, poets, artists, lovers and stewards of the Earth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu chats with author Nancy Colier about balancing spiritual practice and our ever increasing use of technology. Nancy Colier is a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, author, mindfulness teacher and public speaker. She is also a longtime student and practitioner of Eastern spirituality. Raghu speaks with Nancy about breaking our technology addiction and how we might use technology for the tools that they are. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling co-host, David Silver, returns to talk about the American presidential inauguration and the inner excavation that can be done to stop the polarization that separates us from one another.  David takes a break from working on his book to catch up with Raghu and the Mindrolling community. They talk about their reaction to Trump, polarization, fear, and how practice allows for an inner excavation of what separates us from each other and ourselves. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsultrim Allione returns to Mindrolling. She and Raghu talk about transforming anger, devotion, and the teaching of One Ground, Two Paths, Two Results.   Tsultrim discusses our potential to redirect negative emotions in a positive and productive way. She and Raghu talk about her article, "One Ground, Two Paths, Two Results," which teaches us to recognize the path that leads away from our true nature and the path that leads back to it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg and Danny Goldberg join Raghu for a special conversation about our foreboding political climate and better ways to approach it through practice.   In times like this, of fear and polarization, it is important to find balance and approach others with loving-kindness. The group inspires us not to despair by remembering that even though the past and future are full of darkness, love is beyond time and will carry us through. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and speaker Rob Bell joins Mindrolling to talk about his new book and how he helps others live life with a deeper level of appreciation and love for each other. Rob Bell is a pastor and New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins, What We Talk About When We Talk about God, The Zimzum of Love and his most recent book How To Be Here. He and Raghu discuss their common practices, barrier dissolving experiences, and how applying practice can help us overcome our greatest challenges. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris "Bash" Bashinelli joins Raghu to discuss his inspirational documentary series and how it as informed his inner journey.  Bash gave up an acting career to exchange with the world and fulfill a higher calling. His documentaries give a personal perspective of what life is like in other cultures, highlighting the similarities we share with them despite all the differences. Bash empowers each of us to become GLOBAL CITIZENS, productive members of our organization, our family, and ultimately- the world! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling Podcast welcomes world-renown spiritual teacher, Mooji.   Mooji provides a unique and refreshing perspective on what it means to be on the spiritual path. He and Raghu discuss the non-dualism, free-will, and the pitfalls of self.   "Anyone whose mind is in the heart has inherited a tremendous space. It is like the whole universe becomes yours." - Mooji See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu brings Jared Levy and Martin Winiecki on the show to talk about the Tamera community and the book that it inspired, Terra Nova. Jared Levy returns to Mindrolling to introduce Martin and talk about the important work being done at Tamera. Martin is a core team member of the Tamera Biotope in Portugal, where he is Coordinator of the Terra Nova School and the Political Department. The two discuss the impactful research done at Tamera as well as the hope it holds for our future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, on Mindrolling, Nick J. Polizzi joins Raghu to discuss Nick's inspiring documentary on Shamanic medicine and what it has to offer the West. The documentary, Sacred Science, brings together eight patients whose illnesses Western medicine could not cure. Nick and Raghu talk about the movie, the medicine, and the future of this practice which has so much to offer the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling co-founder David Silver returns to talk about what he has been up to, the ominous state of the world, and the moving power of devotion. Raghu and David read from an article written by a Buddhist Rinpoche who addresses the role of emotion and devotion in Tibetian Buddhism. Find out how one of the greatest Boddhisatvas of our time was brought to tears and what his depth of heart has to teach us. There may be no crying in baseball, but on this episode of Mindrolling Raghu and David show how off base that sentiment really is.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined once again by musician, author, and teacher, David Nichtern. David chats with Raghu about his new book, “Awakening from the Daydream,” which reimagines the ancient Buddhist parables of the Wheel of Life and Samsara. David describes a few of the realms of Samsara and where we see them playing out in our world today. He also gives us practices to overcome these obstacles to our inner balance. This conversation about Buddhism is not one to be missed. Everyone can learn something, as David relates the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in a way that is accessible to anyone. “In each of these realms, the peace that you are talking about has been mistaken. You think the peace is, ‘ If I keep competing and keep getting to the top, then I will have peace.’ In The Hungry Ghost realm,’ If I keep consuming if I keep craving things that act will bring me peace.’ But it is exactly that act which keeps you from having peace.” – David Nichtern,Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha’s Wheel of Life   More About David David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. David was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. David has been co-director of the LA Shambhala Center and Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, as well as Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training International and Director of Buddhist Practice and Study for OM yoga. He has been a featured writer and regular contributor to The Huffington Post and leads meditation workshops around the world and online. David also works individually with meditation students in person and via Skype. He does a weekly live broadcast on Ustream (via his Facebook page) and has several online meditation workshops available through creativeLIVE.com. His DVD/CD package OM YOGA & MEDITATION WORKSHOP, created in conjunction with yoga teacher Cyndi Lee, is widely available David Nichtern is also a well-known composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and tv, David wrote the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and composed the score for Christopher Guest’s film “The Big Picture”. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album “Memories of Summer as a Child” and has produced multiple records for Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das. For more conversation with David, listen to his last visit to the Mindrolling Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's episode of Mindrolling, Raghu sits down with Bioneers co-founder, Kenny Ausubel. They discuss the role of Bioneers and how it is bringing innovative thinkers together to create radical social and environmental change. Kenny explores the interconnectedness of all things and what can be done to strike a balance between nature and humanity.   "Before we think that we can change anything, we are going to have to change our own hearts." - Ram Dass   More About Bioneers Bioneers was founded in 1990 in Santa Fe, New Mexico by social entrepreneurs Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons. Bioneers advances the great transformation underway in human civilization by serving as a seed head for game-changing social and scientific vision, knowledge and practices that honor the genius of nature and human ingenuity. Bioneers does so through their annual National Bioneers Conference, award-winning media, local conferences and community resilience networks, and leadership training programs focused on youth, women, and Indigenous peoples. The next Bioneers Conference is October 21-23, 2016. For information or to register, click here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu finally gets the opportunity to bring an old friend, Dr. Larry Brilliant, on the show. Larry Brilliant is a remarkable individual with an incredible story. Larry shares with us highlights from his life of service to others. Through Maharaji, Larry discovered his true love for everyone and was led to help eradicate smallpox from India and the world. "Love Everyone, Serve Everyone, Feed People, Remember God." - Maharaji See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An old friend of the show, Dr. Judith Orloff, returns to have a conversation with Raghu about empathy and sensitivity. We are given a compelling look at the life of an empath and how one might stay spiritually open while protecting themselves from being overwhelmed by what they let in. Judith is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, practicing Psychiatrist, and best-selling New York Times author. Her unique approach marries traditional psychiatric practices, intuition, spirituality, and energy medicine, unlike any other practitioner. "People who are sensitive in life may suffer much more than those who are insensitive. But, if they understand and go beyond their suffering, they will discover extraordinary things." - Jiddu Krishnamurti See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our podcast guru, Duncan Trussell, introduces Raghu to writer and producer Dan Harmon. Dan is known for his cutting humor and honest introspection. Our trio sits down in Dan’s studio for a conversation about work, introspection, and finding happiness.Coming from a background of not making enough money and working undesirable jobs, Dan tries to find balance with his life and workload now that everyone wants to hire him for something.  Dan shares his recent struggle of being aware of, and respecting, the feelings and experience of his employees. The group discusses mindfulness and being aware of the destructive patterns that play out in our lives. Tune in for all this and more on this week’s unique episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Dan Harmon!Show Notes07:30 – Dan talks a bit about his relationship with work and his “workaholism”. It can be hard to turn away any creative work away when you remember what it’s like not having any. 12:30 – The group discusses the idea of mindfulness and finding satisfaction in even the most menial of tasks. There is fulfillment in being present and at one with our work. Dan reminisces about an impactful conversation with a very honest telemarketer about her place in life.17:05 – Dan romanticizes a future where every person has moral dealbreakers on how they spend their time. In an economy where most are forced into sacrificing more of themselves than they may wish, what would the world look like under different circumstances?19:40 – Duncan accidentally uncovers the anarchist roots of Twitter.21:05 – Raghu talks to Dan more about “workaholism”. Dan is currently working on how his “workaholism” is affecting the people who work for him. He is especially sensitive to his actions because of how much abuse workers in the entertainment industry receive already.26:30 – Duncan expresses what it is like being caught in the machine that is corporate entertainment. How does one acknowledge and respect every individual involved in such a high-intensity position?30:05 – Raghu points out that the first step in approaching the issue of fully recognizing others in the moment is having the intention to make that person a priority.  Dan opens up about his difficulty being mindful of this dilemma.35:40 – We go around everyday projecting what others are thinking and allowing them to influence how we interact with the world. This is why the mindfulness movement is gaining so much popularity. Allowing us to understand what is really going on in our mind and what motivates us. Duncan and Dan share where they are at in their lives on the subject of mindfulness.38:50 – There are these recursive videotapes of habit that we run throughout our lives. Duncan exposes about how uneasy he feels thinking about this concept of the replaying tapes, and the work it takes to break the loop they catch us in.45:30 – Dan has difficulty in putting his finger on what exactly he wants, is that a sign that he may already have it? Duncan relates Dan’s dilemma to Buddhist and Bhakti teachings.50:15 – Forget trying to reach Nirvana while we are still asking, “why am I not happy?” We need to focus on simple steps, looking inside is the first step on that path to happiness. Raghu explains Jack Kornfield’s question of “How do we make friends with suffering?”55:35 – Dan Harmon is known for talking about truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be. He shares his view of truth as a life-saving mechanism. It is difficult for Dan to see the duplicity in so much of our modern world, which fuels his pursuit of honesty and truth.1:00:20 – When we remain blind to our self-centeredness we create deeper layers of complexity to our suffering. Duncan relates Dan’s position to Copernicus’s theory of Heliocentrism. Dan expresses his difficulty in separating himself from the “I”.  Raghu reminds us that we all are going through the same trip and explains how his practice has changed the way he navigates life.Dan Harmon is a writer, show runner, and producer. Harmon is best known for creating and producing NBC comedy series Community, co-creating Adult Swim animated television series Rick and Morty, and co-founding the alternative television network/website Channel 101. Keep an eye out for Dan’s hilarious new animated show HarmonQuest and Youtube series Great Minds with Dan Harmon!Also, check out Dan and Duncan’s chat about “workaholism”, being in the moment, and more on the 200 episode anniversary of the “Duncan Trussell Family Hour“ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South African shaman John Lockley returns! In this episode, John brings us stories from the bush and tales of the inner landscape. “Radical mindfulness is radical listening. Without judgment, without ego, just listen.” – John Lockley Raghu and John talk about the self, the spirit world, and the interconnectedness of mystical traditions. What is in a name? How does a shaman practice mindfulness? Find out on this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast. “We must dream the impossible. Seek the beauty of sharing wisdom through the cracks of our longing. Usher into reality the possibility of a world village glued together by a concert of wisdom.” – Malidoma Somé   John Lockley is a fully initiated sangoma (healer and shaman) in the Xhosa lineage of South Africa, having spent 10 years in an apprenticeship with the tribe that gave us Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. His remarkable journey through the constraints of Apartheid is a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. For more information on John his schedule, check out his event calendar.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu talks with Be Here Now Network staffers, JR Morton and Corey Leonard, about being mindful in the era of smartphones. They discuss the pros and cons of a device that gives us access to so much but is changing how we interact and how our brains function. Smartphones are pulling us away from ourselves at an alarming rate. What can we do to mitigate their downsides and use them for the tools they are meant to be? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While in L.A., Raghu drops by for a chat with a newly made friend, comedian Natasha Leggero. They talk about what led Natasha on a path of self-inquiry. How Ram Dass has played an important role in her life and career. Natasha talks about how inspirational relationships and self-work have brought her a life she couldn’t have imagined as a struggling comedian. Raghu touches on the topics of shakti, mantra, and “drugs”.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu gets the opportunity to chat with new found friend Vincent Horn, host of the Buddhist Geeks podcast. They discuss the interplay of technology and spiritual experience. In what ways do the internet, smartphones, and emerging technologies affect our spiritual practice and how can we utilize them to their greatest potential?   Vincent founded his podcast "Buddhist Geeks" and website "Meditate.IO" with the philosophy of taking a fresh approach to old practices. He and Raghu talk about this philosophy and what role they think technology and the internet have in the practice of spirituality. What are the potentials of our newfound interconnectivity via the internet and smartphones? How can they be used to foster a network of awakened individuals as opposed to separating and polarizing us? Listen as Vincent tells his vision of our "technodelic" future. Using technology as a teaching tool to bring us into altered states of consciousness and awareness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindfulness and approaching it from as many practical approaches as possible. In this latest episode, Raghu and Ramesh look at: What does mindfulness really mean? What kind of perspective you can have about it that can change your life, the different practices of it that people can do on a day to day basis without joining anything, you can sit there and work with your breath, so you can bring awareness and the witness into your life so you can see your motivations and have a curiosity on who you really are. Bringing mindfulness into your life so you can just relax into a moment where you’re not judging yourself and can just be. In a world that asks us to be constantly multi-tasking, how do we curb the monkey mind? Ramesh and Raghu explore a variety of practices and perspectives that help to cultivate a less discursive mind. Such as the breath, which brings all your life systems to one place and is critical to focusing. Or Vipassana, also known as Insight Meditation, is a meditation that helps develop concentration and facilitates having clear focus, or one-pointedness. Whatever the practice, it’s about settling the mind and body down, so that one’s consciousness can come together. Amazon Recommendations Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening by Joseph Goldstein The First and Last Freedom by Jiddu Krishnamurti See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu welcomes Mirabai Starr- famous for her Christian Mystic books and now her memoir- Caravan of No Despair. Raghu asked what in the world she asked for while still in the Bardos between lives - her first few decades in this incarnation being so full of intense suffering! As if she knew what she needed to transform her being but she really asked for the full monty and managed to come through with flying colors! At one point Mirabai talks about how she "fired" God- "...all the teachings I had once embraced I now dismissed as artifacts of magical thinking." Of course this led to our discussion of the dark night of the soul and St John of the Cross whose book she then translated. And in the midst of that work she had a realization. "Tragedy and trauma are not guarantees for a transformational spiritual experience, true, but they are opportunities." Mirabai also explains two key concepts- Radical Unknowingness and Sacred Unraveling. These two form the backbone of a spiritual path that is not pre-digested concepts but more visceral reality. For more from Mirabai Starr, visit her website or Facebook page. Mirabai's Book: Caravan of No Despair See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and his Guru pal Duncan Trussell, get together for an illuminating conversation with Trevor Hall at the most recent Ram Dass retreat on Maui. Trevor shares his amazing transformation through discovering the guru, Neem Karoli Baba, by meeting Raghu’s younger brother at the age of 17, and eventually winding up living in a Kali temple in Laguna Beach, CA. Duncan’s infectious curiosity anchors this podcast as Trevor describes the many layers of symbolism found in the image of the fierce goddess Kali. Most people don’t see the significance behind the many layers of this Goddess, usually getting distracted by the gore depicted and not seeing the undertones of motherly unconditional love represented. Trevor draws from his years living at the Kali temple to explain the iconography and the unconditional love behind the Divine Mother Goddess Kali. Duncan’s questions serve as a guide as Trevor elaborates on all facets of the portrayals of Kali: from the reason Kali is seen biting her tongue, to the implications of her holding the sword of discernment in one hand, and a severed head in the other. In the case of Kali’s bloody garland of 50 skulls, Trevor helps to break down the symbolism: “the 50 heads represent the 50 letters of the sanskrit alphabet, which includes all sound. All sounds come from the mother, everything we hear: good, bad, the sound of the ocean, this language, everything is filled with the mother’s presence. So what happens if we have that mindset, everything I hear is just ma, ma, ma…” Or as Duncan summarizes it: “So everything I hear is a severed head on the neck of Kali.” Raghu recounts his experiences with different embodiments of the Divine Mother: with reading the “Gospel of Ramakrishna”; a meeting with Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual partner, “Mother” in Pondicherry; and his interactions with his Indian mother, the saint, Siddhi Ma. Together, they continue to explore their own personal experiences with Divine Mother, their mothers, and the spectrum of both positive and negative attachments Western culture has with the word “Mother.” To wrap up, Trevor chants a prayer to the Divine Mother, or Ma.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by his roommate from back in the day in India, Rameshwar Das Lytton or just plain Ramesh! Ramesh has been Ram Dass co-author on his two latest books- Be Love Now and Polishing The Mirror. Raghu quotes from Ram Dass about those who saw the physical Guru- “None of us knew Maharaji- we just knew our own projections” More fodder for the reality of not needing to meet the Guru in the flesh. Also on the table is; what is a Guru vs a Saint vs a Siddha or perfectly enlightened one. Raghu and Ramesh also delve into the reality of our overactive, busy minds and the effect on our lives. Referring from a NY Times article that corroborated scientifically that “the capacity for original thinking is markedly stymied by stray thoughts, obsessive ruminations and other forms of mental load” and “your internal exploration is too often diminished by an overly occupied mind”. So our only conclusion is Meditate Now! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu with his co-host, true blue soul mate wife, Saraswati Markus hang with Gil Fronsdal- newly named Baba Gil. Gil hails from the Insight Meditation family and was discovered by Saraswati during her long nite festivals of Dharama talks. When we talk about the difficulties people have with meditative practice Gil calls out to people to remember that it is a "failure free zone". We talk about the Be Here Now concept and Gil renames it "unconditional acceptance of the present moment". And of course the hosts inevitably have to ask about mindfulness and it's very worldly application in these times- Gil suggests that we use mindfulness to check out our thoughts and motivations and follow and be aware of where our focus wanders. Saraswati engages Baba Gil about the Buddhist No Self teaching which he comments on as " the self is like wind drag- when you eliminate that drag you can become free- no self".   Gil Fronsdal- The Issue At Hand- Essays on Mindfulness http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org   Amazon recommendations; Radiohead- A Moon Shaped Pool When Anger Hurts Matthew Mckay See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Duncan Trussell and Lama Surya Das at the Ram Dass Maui spring retreat  live podcast session. Unfortunately, just before the session Raghu cut someone off in the bathroom line and then was reprimanded by the aggrieved party. Of course there ensued guilt and recrimination which Duncan, in his wisdom, reassured Raghu that we all can't live up to impossible standards all the time- he then drifted into some comparison to the crucifixion.... Lama Surya Das on the other hand came to the table with exemplary explanations of the very difficult Buddhist concept of emptiness in his inimitable practical teaching style. In the end a sense of humor and a sense of our human predicament mashed in with a sense of the possibilities of a human incarnation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu chats with Danny Goldberg- a man well versed in culture and politics to discuss the intense polarization in this country in this election year. The discussion circles around an article by Arthur C Brooks entitled Bipartisanship isn’t for Wimps, After All. Even friends are polarized by loyalties to Hillary or Bernie not to mention between Democrats and Republicans. As Mr Brooks mentions in his article- “we don’t like each other very much” and bigotry reigns all the way to contempt. How do we deal with this in our lives and stop the individual tendencies towards this polarization in our society. The Dalai Lama suggests the anti-dotes. Of course looking to ourselves and our behavior and not to governments and institutions to make the necessary changes. The Dalai Lama goes further to suggest a cultivation of warm heartedness towards those with whom we disagree. Sound squishy? No it’s actually tough but practical advice. As Danny says though- I don’t think it’s a contradiction of warm heartedness to say to those you disagree with- I respect your pain, I can love your soul but there are some moral issues that you advocate that I cannot agree with and I will counter in every way that I can. And Danny tells of ride sharing with a Trump supporter that featured two warm hearts! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Frank Osteseski, a Buddhist teacher andguiding light for people who are facing the death and dyingprocess.Raghu talks about his recent experience with the transition ofhis close friend Jyoti and it how it was like being at the veryprecipice of awakening when he sat with her as she was slippingthrough the Bardos.Frank describes being with someone who is dying as anopportunity to let go of our of all preconceived notions and to usethe transparency and rawness of that experience to bring ourselvesinto the moment.Frank encourages everyone not to wait to tell our near and dearthat we love them, and practicing for the eventual transition issomething to consider sooner than later. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu introduces Lisa Wimberger, who got hit by lightening, blacked out and lost her pulse at 15 years old! Her traumatic event let Lisa to a new path, developing Neurosculpting - a fusion of brain science and mindfulness. As she says, even the most insidious mental beliefs can be re-written- and boy could we all use a little brain re-wiring! Lisa and Raghu talk about the flight-fright-freeze survival response and how it takes over our lives and how to protect ourselves from “contagious” emotions. Also Raghu delights in an article Lisa wrote on the New Age Scourge - she says, “ First stop saying Namaste and bless you when what you really mean is screw you.” This leads us to a conversation about clearing out toxic beliefs and behavior patterns. This podcast will change our tune with its mind-altering insights! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and guest host Michael "Jadu" Daner chats with dream yoga teacher Michael Katz, co-author of an excellent book, "Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light".   Jadu tells his earliest fearful dream experiences that turned into euphoric flying dreams - and how flying in dreams presages lucid dreaming. Michael talks about how the mastering of lucidity in the dream state eventually will help master our final transition through the bardos or states of consciousness we enter into when we die.In dream yoga the emphasis is on the possibility of some level of enlightenment experience at the time of final transition. Michael Katz introduces his teacher, Lama Namkai Norbu (co-author of Dream Yoga) who said once, "I never claimed to be enlightened but I am a really good dream yogi." He is said to be able to return to specific dreams every night! "Rather than seeing dreams as messages from the psyche the Dzogchen tradition (Liberating Awareness) views them as an opportunity to recognize and interact with the foundations of your life." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu speaks with Koshin Paley Ellison, the founder and partner of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, an organization that works closely with people who are passing or ill. Koshin Paley describes his origins and how he was introduced to Zen Buddhism. He talks about the teachers, influences and triggers which geared the direction of his life and practice.  Including; the Aids Epidemic of the 1980’s, Alan Ginsberg, and his first Zen teacher John Daido Loori as well as being exposed to Ram Dass as a very young person. Koshin Paley tells the moving story of the passing away of his grandmother and the tremendous impact that experience had on his life. (hint: The New York Center for Contemplative Care wouldn’t be here otherwise!) Raghu and Koshin discuss the blending of Jungian depth techniques with Buddhist psychology and what exactly a Spiritual Bypass is. Other topics covered are relationships, bearing witness, loving action and what is being brought to light by working with dying people.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Rick Doblin, head of (take a deep breath for this one) Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, otherwise known as MAPS! Rick describes some of the things that helped him to see into a new reality, including his faith-puncturing Bar Mitzvah, which forced him out of what would have been a “manufactured” mystical connection. Rick then goes on to describe his introduction to LSD in college, and how he discovered a new way of processing information and consciousness from those experiences; it opened him up to the emotional world. Other topics discussed include: - The emotional stability of our culture -  Using psychedelics for healing and therapy - Using psychedelics to rail against the “us” and “them” rhetoric present between countries, religions, races and creeds. -  Doblin’s discovery of the underground psychedelic community - How LSD opened the “Westerners” up to to a visceral understanding of their time with Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaji) when they traveled to India - How do the subjects of the “Good Friday” experiment look back on their psychedelic experiences today? - How does MDMA work? - What is The Theory of Causal Indifference? - How can psychedelics help with PTSD and other trauma?   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saraswati Markus finally makes her debut on Mindrolling! Who else could so exquisitely describe all of the incredible facets of the ancient technology of Yoga (she is Raghu's beloved you know!)   At the same time Saraswati shows the synthesis she has created with The Dao, Yoga and Chinese medicine and the potential healing modalities they contain. Not just physical but a true path to untangle the knots that form our habitual patterns. She expands on that idea by showing how we can all access the innate wisdom of our bodies for healing.    Also there is the concept of healing when you change what you like - Not easy and of course Raghu rebels cause he won't give up his toast and Chai with a lot of sugar!   Go to daoflowyoga.com to learn more about her work.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling and Raghu have a new best friend! Jake Sasseville of the Jake Sasseville podcast is a unique human who has been in show biz from a very early age. Jake shares a very traumatic family story which eventually tripped him onto the spiritual path in a very substantial way. Raghu shares Ram Dass' words in respect to Jake's reflections on suffering - "Every moment of your life is your vehicle for awakening". R&J chat about the tension between taking actions in your life and the reality that everything is already written and we just need to relax and let Grace happen. Also on the table is a discussion around the seven ways spiritual people bullshit themselves. #1 being the power of positive thinking - Raghu admits to his disdain for the new age model and his subsequent reaction to his own judgmental mind. We always have to remember though that there is more than one motivation for every action we take - why not focus on the positive? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu hosts Jim Doty, a brain surgeon with a highly unusual story that makes up his page burner of a book, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart. Jim takes us back to his impoverished early years and his unplanned meeting with an unlikely teacher who's profound wisdom altered the path of the rest of his life - a true glimpse into the reality of karma and grace turning a life around. When the student is ready the teacher appears!   Jim relates amazing facts about the brain and the heart: "Research shows the heart to be an organ of intelligence, with it's own profound influence not only from our brain but on our brain..." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan joins Raghu and introduces the concept of Ecstasy Talk- an MDMA allusion to the experience of the Ram Dass retreats. Raghu introduces new End Of The World news which send Duncan into a right wing deep south spiral! The duo also talks about the statistics that this world is far less violent that at any time in history. Can it be true? Then there is the idea that our current technology is a new organism that is forming a parasitic relationship with the life form called a human being…. Raghu introduces a story of unconditional love through Pete the dog- and how that introduces humans to love without conditions. Duncan scares Raghu with his concept of the Jihad- of course we settle on the meaning as inner sacred battle with ego and how that’s reflected in the Bhagavad Gita. Then there is the concept of gratitude - it can change our world! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and Thanissara explore her amazing book Time To Stand Up: The Buddha's Life and Message Through Feminine Eyes - it serves as a call to action for the engagement of the feminine Shakti principal to transform our planet in every way. For instance, our current traditional patriarchal zeitgeist is so slow to speak out in defense of our planet. Patriarchal religions that denigrate women, the body and sexuality tend to not challenge the denigration of the earth. The feminine is of great importance for our awakening and Thanisarra eloquently presents the case that we must make the feminine central in all of our lives, not solely as gender but as a living dimension within each one of us. Feminine energy is essential, because of it's natural receptivity, inclusivity and empathy. Fundamental intelligence is the Mother! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and George “Balaram” Pitagorsky discuss his recent blog on Shedding Light to Combat ignorance: confrontation is necessary when hate mongers spread their message and embellish it with misinformation. Confrontation, in this context, means speaking up and inserting facts and alternative views. It means shedding light to expose and combat ignorance. George and Raghu also share the facts about how we worry and when it’s beneficial and when it is certainly not! In a recent NY Times article, worry was reported to be beneficial. Those who worried about an outcome tended to have a less stressful reaction when the worrisome outcome occurred and a greater positive response when things worked out well. Those who did not worry, tended to be devastated when their optimism was proven to be unfounded and just mildly satisfied when things worked out as expected. Raghu disputes both of these premises and confesses to his longstanding ungodly worrywart reality! On the other side of the issue is the attitude expressed by the Rudolf Abel character in "Bridge of Spies" who when asked "Aren't you worried?" in reference to being convicted and sentenced to death for being a Soviet spy, responds coolly "Would it help?"  And there is Meher Baba - “Do your best. Then, don't worry, be happy." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kiley Jon Clark joins Mindrolling and introduces us to his amazing work with the homeless - not only offering them food and love but also teaching meditation practice on the streets and in the shelters. Kiley tell his transformational story from an addictive cowboy lifestyle to the Buddhist path. He tells the a magical story of meeting his Tibetan teacher Lama Tulku Tsori Dechen Rinpoche who literally went home with him right after they first met and turned his life around.   The conversations turns around the cultivation of fearlessness and relating with the veil of illusion - "There is a  force which is called by many names - the veil tricks us into seeing the world as a multitude of separate individual selves - but in fact we are all One."   Kiley also shares the concept of meditation as "becoming familiar with ourselves" - Kiley is a true original no BS soul walking the path - and his poetry seems like it was written by the ancients!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu has a deep chat with Reggie Ray, one of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s first American students. Reggie shares some very personal moments with Trungpa Rinpoche that illuminate some of the unique qualities of this amazing being: “In the beginning, naive me would go down to the picnic tables and see Rinpoche sitting alone and I’d sit down next to him and it was like I had just sat down next to the noon-day sun, and I was terrified of what he might do because in his space somehow whatever your little trip was it was going to be exposed.” Reggie talks about one of his most basic teachings on Somatic Meditation (interrelatedness of mind, body and spirit) and then leads a meditation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu is joined by Pete Holmes, Duncan Trussell and Sharon Salzberg in Maui for a  wonderfully entertaining, humorous and enlightening podcast. Duncan talks about a euphemism for God and how we are constantly barraged by the word “God” - which triggers something negative inside us that’s been cultivated throughout our lives. How do we deal with the skepticism and doubt that accompanies a lot of spiritual subjects? Is a good dose of skepticism healthy? Sharon Salzberg elucidates on some Buddhist teachings around experimenting with skepticism and doubt - in order to truly face the power of the truth that comes from within. In order to find freedom you have to be able to ask questions and explore the world around you for yourself. What should we do when we can’t remember what love feels like? What is real love anyway? And how do we find the courage to cross past our obstacles and suffering? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David chats with Dr. Linda Bender, an advocate, author and educator in the sacred connection shared by humans, animals and nature. Dr. Linda talks about the reality of our connection to all animals - the root word of animal is "animus" which means soul. Dr. Linda says, “When we name and have a relationship with that being - be it a dog or a cat - we recognize that being as an individual - we get to know that individual and that individual becomes special. We are all here together as one and we have a sacred connection to all life.” David quotes from her book, Animal Wisdom: ”We get to know who we are as human beings when we see the reflection of ourself in the eyes of a being that is not human." Animals have psychic abilities - things happen that cannot be explained logically.How do fish instantly move and never bump into each other - how does homing in birds work? Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." How are we doing in that department? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro joins Raghu and David and gives us a little roadside assistance for our spiritual journey. Rabbi Rami certainly reflects the Mindroller’s central theme which is Neem Karoli Baba’s edict of “All One” - there is only One emanation of the Divine. Rabbi Rami says, “To me, religions are like languages - no language is true or false: all languages are of human origin - each language reflects and shapes the civilization that speaks it. Judaism is my mother tongue, yet in matters of the spirit I strive to be multilingual.” He talks about his realizations sitting Zazen and awakening to grace. The Mindrollers have a lively back-and-forth with the Rabbi around the idea of the Jewish uniqueness of being at home with paradox. Argument and doubt are central themes of the Jewish mystical tradition.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsultrim Allione joins the Mindrollers for a deep chat about our current disturbing world events - how do we as world citizens see how we can help to heal, and how do we get right perspective within ourselves? Part of the path of a Bodhisattva (Sanskrit term for anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings) is not to turn away - to stay present even if it’s painful - to bear witness. Lama teaches a breath meditation to offer the cool breeze of compassion. Compassion and Bodhicitta (Awakened Heart) rise easily in extreme situations as in some of the heroic moments in Paris - and we can train to develop that part of ourselves. Lama also explains the value and concept of Emptiness - It is freeing when we let go of the solidity of ourselves and the world - it can be magical. And in the Holiday season do we have more pleasure giving or receiving? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roshi expounds on the transformation of doubt, rootlessness, suffering and meaninglessness into a true “refuge of truth.” At this time of the horrific terror events in Paris, Beirut and Mali, how do we come to terms with severe crisis, either individual or societal? How does the Romantic poet John Keats’s “negative capability” fit into this unavoidable, desperately difficult dynamic of living? Roshi explores the moment of the shock of recognition and how it can change us from the depths. Even the Dalai Lama spoke of those moments of extreme doubt and pain, or as Mr. Dylan sang “Even the President of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked…” Roshi’s upcoming book “Standing At the Edge” is about just this – it’s not all light and love, and yet somehow things can open up after adversity, “the lucky dark” as Roshi wrote. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Early 70’s adventures in the East, leading Michael Daner overland through Europe to Afghanistan and eventually India. What was going on here? This mindboggling journey could never happen now, given the state of the world, but back then, it was a scenario starring many so-called hippies and genuine smugglers, some yearning for the exotic, some desiring money, money, money, and some - Michael, in particular - who eventually graduated from smuggling to seeking…and finding. Included in this tale is an example of Neem Karoli Baba’s wondrous bi-locational capability…plus, as an added extra, a 1980 conversation between David and Bruce Springsteen about his CD “The River”…so please enjoy this picaresque podcast… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrollers and friends in Manhattan, with a far-ranging conversation about the incredible scrolls of St. Issa in Tibet and India; Maharaji telling the Westerners to meditate like Christ; the dismissal of mysticism by modern organized religion; David being accused of black magic by Evangelicals, Raghu being dragged into a “men’s group”; tales of sixties Rajneesh followers copulating in the kitchen…and finally, a Shambala Sun inspired rap on the task of making friends with yourself.  Somehow, we end with an anecdote around the amazing Kalu Rinpoche.  It’s all in there and quite a bit more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is real love?  What isn’t?  The Mindrollers turn for inspiration to HH The Dalai Lama and the super intense poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, who said “For one human being to love another, that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks”…talk of cultivating inner spaciousness as the ultimate antidote. Jumping off from a Tricycle article, David confesses Johnny Depp envy while Raghu remembers the perverse joy in jealousy…the answer to these neurotic pulls seems always around finding the freeing route to the heart, your own heart.  Sometimes, instead of fervently reaching for another soul, a spell of serious solitude might help that journey.  Speaking to youth, Rilke says: “They have to learn it.  With their whole being, with all their forces, gathered close about their lonely, timid, upward-beating heart, they must learn to love.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrollers challenge a Zen sentiment that teachers are expendable, passionately citing life-transforming personal teaching guidance encountered by both of them. They move on like madmen to the bizarre concept of stool replacement banks for micro biome worries – will Amazon ever offer “good” stool on sale? Once again, we analyze the entropic dangers of too much social media creeping into everything. Do we only know “bits and pieces” of people now? David quotes the the prescient words of Seneca (the Roman humanist saint in Christ’s time) about fecklessly squandering your life away on nonsense, thereby ending life shocked and downed by suffering and mortality. From the horrors of the Coliseum to YouTube addiction, R & D investigate Western civilization’s entertainment obsession. There’s actually even more…check it out for yourself, your Self… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Embrace everything - bad and good, pleasurable and horrible. Chris’s new book, Everything Mind, comes out today. R & D talk with him about its prescient premise that everything – the whole kit and caboodle – from Trump to Ramana Maharshi to the suffering migrant millions to the iPhone 6S Plus - is a legitimate part of the spiritual reality: G-d, The One, whatever, and that this is a necessary and healing component of the spiritual/philosophical inclusion clause – everything is grist to the mill. Even a harsh and hurtful text insult message, even true pain and adversity, even hideous stuff - within you and without you - even Kimye! Chris’s own words on his book: “What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening, and the Mind-Blowing Truth of It All.” Plus David recalls his amazingly counter-intuitive 9/11 kindness experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ecstatic kirtan singer/violinist Jahnavi Harrison is with us on the podcast. She tells her unique life story - as a child raised at the 700 year old Bhaktivedanta Manor home in the Hertfordshire countryside. Beatle George Harrison (no relation) had donated the estate to ISKCON, the Krishna movement, in 1973.  Jahnavi talks of her devotional trajectory from being a child brought up in idyllic rural England to singing to Krishna all over the world.  We talk about the cleansing power of the Maha Mantra, her whole life singing kirtan, and finding that back-and-forth love therein and the universal magnetism of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama.  You will hear her sing live and from her new CD, “Like A River To the Sea." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dev (Dale Borglum) of the Living Dying Project explores surfing the edge of the heart approaching consciousness transformation, in life…and death. Who dies anyway? How do we change annihilation fear to being right here, still confidently in the heart chakra? “All fear is fear of death” he maintains, “being trapped in separateness” and how the deeper fright is resistance to death rather than death itself. We talk through wholeness and healing for the living as well as those passing and those immediately affected. This seems like heavy stuff, but the end product in this hour is light and insight…into living. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Experience John Lockley’s journey into authentic shamanism after intense and intensive training and initiation.  How did a South African Irishman become a real  Xhosa sangoma - “dreamer”?  What is a shaman anyway?  John talks with R & D about using your dreams to heal your deepest psyche’s wounds and traces his path from soldier/medic to Zen to yoga to Nature-master medicine man.  He tells us in depth about his healing via dreaming, dancing, chanting and plant-ing… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“My yellow in this case is not so mellow” Jimi Hendrix sang. Is it ever cool to be angry? R & D’s wary warnings about the seductively enjoyable taste of anger. Maharaji’s words about anger’s reality, with the crucial caveat to never throw anyone out of your heart. Raghu’s anger is analyzed by… Raghu. David recalls learning to love right wing friends, especially conservative William F. Buckley Jr. Then we talk about Mark Epstein’s take on anger and his very do-able way of dealing with it. David reads a Tom Waits poem about Keith Richards. Finally we dive deep into Trungpa’s Gap - "the space between out breaths” (Pema Chodron) the spaciousness between internal chatter and the sudden glimpse of awareness, openness and absence of self - which scares the shit out of us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Uber useful conversation with wisdom writer Sylvia Boorstein: her clear and helpful grasp of present-ness… her words on true mindfulness cut with goodwill…her thoughts on thoughts, seeing them as always potentially co-operative and not so bad after all.  Making friends with the present is just that, even if it startles you, “relax, take a rest, calm down” – R & D listen, interrupt, and have a fine time with Sylvia… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gelek Rimpoche is our honored guest.  A reincarnated tulku, a lucid and unpretentious disperser of essential knowledge, Gelek is a treasured being we are so lucky to have in the U.S.  Because of the ruthless Chinese invasion, Gelek was forced to leave his beloved homeland in 1959.  Tibet’s tragedy became our great fortune.  Hear what he has to say about wiping out negative emotions and achieving equanimity.  His honest-to-the-bone words about his own basic humanity is a balm for all of us.  Rimpoche shares his own Allen Ginsberg stories with David, who was also a friend of the legendary poet/kind soul.  The Mindrollers are so pleased to present this famed and revered Rimpoche, a sacred yet approachable transformative being, there for all of us.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrollers with Duncan Trussell and Noah Lampert host our panel guests from our Indiegogo event. Brian, Brian and George. We get an idea of their awakening triggers, pretty heavy ones at that- and they shine a light on the importance of intention. We all talk about practice and how difficult it is to motivate daily unless you are really up against the wall! Duncan admits to his fall down on learning the Hanuman Chaleesa when he can’t even remember his phone number. David regales us with sacred chants - Raghu relates his story of doubt - And finally Duncan pulls out his trusty Bible and leads us in a Bible study group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forgiveness wisdom from George Pitagorsky (Balaram) who demonstrates the huge upside of being able to authentically forgive, and how forgiving often benefits the forgiver maybe even more than the forgiven. Is it weakness for a Holocaust victim to embrace one of her tormentors? Wasn’t it incredible for the afflicted Charleston families to espouse forgiveness immediately? George, via both Dzogchen (Great Perfection) and common sense, helps to heal the hating …David apologizes for getting ridiculously irate about a lost bottle top, along with Raghu lamenting his legendary impatience… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

R&D travel down diverse roads to happiness, encountering on the way 50 years since Dylan’s Newport electric war cries; Aristotle’s eudaimonia; Jefferson’s iconic requisite declaration; the crazy off-ramp into consumerism and “the cycle of escalating desire”; Andy Puddicombe’s mega mindfulness app; Google’s Chade-Meng Tan…and the rewards of real seva. Check this out, Pharrell… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and David bring up a very timely topic - prison reform. BJ Wasserman and Jared “Gagan” Levy discuss Inside Circle, a nonprofit organization that helps prisoners and parolees heal from the inside. We talk about “operational transformation” of men in Folsom prison as a model for the entire prison system. Robert Allbee, founder of Inside Circle, created a concept for the word “spirit” or “God” which the Dagara tribe in Africa call “Yielbongura” - “The thing that Knowledge can’t eat.” This phrase sums up the spiritual core from which Inside Circle operates. Where are you imprisoned in your life? The process that the prisoners go through in revealing their deep authentic truths create an atmosphere of trust that is dramatically changing the static model of prison reform. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can we learn to become a Bodhisattava, and what is a Bodhisattva, for G-d’s sake? Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s simple yet brilliant instructions on this path of treating everyone as your “guest”…plus chat about meditating away the neurotic “escape routes” polluting our inner calm, and reactions from both Raghu M. and Ramana M. about being attacked by angry hornets. Finally, David’s thoughts on an irate Facebook comment putting down the ancient sentiment “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle”… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrolling through the toll of role playing; the dark art of Trumpism; the Rolling Stones revisited; the Karmapa chanting; spiritual practice as heart/mind rehearsal; the dis-ease of the wandering mind; the magic of Biocentrism & intelligence preceding matter; the amazing Swiffer...plus thoughts on suicide’s sides, Jimmy Carter’s lust in the heart, and the generosity of our listeners…listen… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thupten Jinpa, HH The Dalai Lama’s English translator, is our truly honored guest. Anyone who has been present at any one of His Holiness’s live events knows how vibrant and deep Jinpa’s translations always are. Jinpa’s new book, “A Fearless Heart: How The Courage To Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives” totally knocked out the Mindrollers, and we are so very pleased to visit with him on the podcast. Just check out Jinpa’s markedly unpretentious yet potent teachings on the real nature of compassion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and Duncan Trussell have a relaxed hang out with Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbot of Upaya Zen Center. They discuss Roshi’s involvement and history with Nepal, and the recent work she’s done there related to the earthquake. Then they have a lively back and forth around the dualistic Bhakti tradition vs. the sublime Zen tradition. Roshi gives credit to what she calls “the juicy love”… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindrollers’ Miscellany: 5 sagacious slogans to straighten you out at work and play …fetishization of mindfulness…Evan Thompson’s rap about “the mind is not the brain”…”making up people” (ergo reducing people)…”are we kinder, better, more compassionate after decades of teachings?”…walking in the woods along with the witness…and Pico Iyer’s “The Art of Stillness" – right, a jam-packed podcast! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teal Swan – young psychic intuitive and spiritual mentor - graces us with her vibrant awareness and startling insights. Teal is the real deal, an authentic wisdom channel, motivated by altruism, sharing her preternatural yet totally penetrating - and ultimately useful - knowledge. Coming out of youthful severe suffering, her ways of looking at the world truly move the Mindrollers and explicate what she calls the current global “emotional epidemic” – don’t miss Teal’s world view and her thoughts on neglect, marijuana, love – she is as clear as a bell… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindful comedian Pete Holmes is our effervescent guest and he talks about...everything, including diametrically opposing views on G-d from two of his podcast guests, Deepak Chopra and Oasis’s Noel Gallagher. His rap about the dangers of Google is funny and profound, his love for Ram Dass and Joseph Campbell tells us where his head is at, and his statement “Leave the transcendent where it belongs – the transcendent” left us laughing and thoughtful… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrollers examine the Upper East Side Rich Wives Tribe and its rituals…banishing boredom via the cultivation of the awesome…puzzlement at the rise of the selfish…David Brooks's words on spiritual capital…and swooning over the 16th and 17th Karmapas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu misses Dave - Raghu and Duncan discuss the reality of the physical Guru vs the non - Duncan tells his sighting of Maharaji down by the river- Jared talks Gyan (intellect) yoga and Saraswati counters with Bhakti (heart) yoga- and can we measure the inner world through imagination? Duncan has the last word on the energy behind the thing we call Maharaji. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The shock of recognition is a phenomenon that can manifest in a teacher’s spoken wise words or a written mindblower or a magical musical moment. We talk through a great Anais Nin paragraph and a Krishna Das sound bite that illuminate this. Plus, what is the difference between reality and pretense in a vision, an icon, or the apparent sudden 3D appearance of a deity? Does so-called objective, provable truth matter if you are inarguably elevated or awakened? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan & The Mindrollers evict pollution-people from the brain, searching for authentic cadences and benign radiations. Plus Duncan rants rationally about self-reliance and the illusions of governance. David recalls almost becoming a right-wing speechwriter and Raghu delights in meeting not one, but two Karmapas, #’s 16 & 17, who seemed to be the same soul. The intense reality of intimate connections, within the oneness of being, begin and end the podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David and Raghu introduce a third generation military man- a marine who had a major transformation from PTSD - and re-integrated his trauma through the psychedelic experience. What followed was overwhelming compassion and a direct line to Eastern Mysticism, Ram Dass and the great Buddhist masters. As Ryan says about his healing- “ It sure feels good, on this journey, to stop on the road, drop our packs and break bread with our brothers and sisters”. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

R&D introduce Bernadine - the newest member of the Mindrolling team… new End of the World situation with Indiana and the Chem trails conspiracy… Karmapa the 17th - at 29 years old yet 1800 years old really - talks to Harvard about LGBT rights, race relations and the environment. And is meditation an obsession of the middle class? As a special treat, Raghu and David read from the sublime poetry of Steven Levine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and David hang with longtime friend John Bush as he discusses the making of his upcoming documentary, Journey Om - a pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of India. John tells the tale of getting his Hindu name Krishna from Maharaji and his curious case of mistaken identity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Chatanooga and London to the forest monasteries of Thailand, this couple articulates their clear-as-a-bell vision of credible liberation. Can the grit of suffering become a pearl of consciousness? K & T delight R & D with some R & R from ordinary mind and light up the podcast. They also display pragmatic activist consciousness in their wise words about nurturing Mother Earth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alchemizing rebel anger into Buddhist altruism with Noah Levine, writer of Dharma Punx, plus R & D’s personal experiences with Van Morrison and Joey Ramone… Newfoundland somehow is in there too as a Canadian Pure Land on a very auspicious day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David loses a Tibetan precious jewel. Suddenly, miraculously, it re-appears a year later and sparks a rare blog spoken out loud. And Raghu drills deep into the epidemic of facelessness, with social media as the head of the dragon. Plus news about a very false guru and great riffing from Stevie Ray Vaughan… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary O’Malley takes us through her concept of the spells that we had imposed on us as we grew into our “ego” bodies- R&D discuss with Mary the anti-dote to the spells and the self talking storytelling that crowds our minds all the day long! Real practical how to info for the stretched and compressed lives we live. And Mindrolling celebrates our 100th Podcast! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Massive transformation, noetic feeling, absolute healing – Bhava Ram (aka Brad Willis) tells his life story from his harrowing NBC war correspondent days through huge suffering and addiction finally to emergence as a full blown yogi and exemplar of optimism, grit and perennial practice. Podcast 99 tells a miraculous tale. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychedelic therapy and its mystical grasp in the 21st Century – R & D explore the newer, fresher science of psilocybin and LSD studies along with David’s fish eyes acid empathy and Raghu’s not quite mindful crashing his car into a ditch. Plus Maharaji memories of pure wisdom trumping the deepest trip imaginable… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Exploring Death (It’s all the rage) - The truth is that we have no idea what happens when we drop our body, so it’s hard to say whether any particular reaction is appropriate or not. The sooner we face the reality of our mortality, the more time we have to approach it • Heart to Heart - Buddha was one heart, and turned on many. As we go deeper into ourselves we radiate that frequency to the world around us. We find balance and share what we learn. • Finding Balance (Change your conscious) - Even systems like capitalism can function, but only if there is balance. All we can bring to the present situation is greater consciousness • Sharon Salzberg (Official Badass) - Sharon did the work, and it shows. We all have different approaches to experiment with, but they all involve doing what is necessary to get free. Where we are is just an accumulation of our innate experiential wisdom • Protective Fashion - Styles of dress can be an attempt to associate oneself with a certain mode of thinking, but can also serve as a simple reminder to stay true to what you value • Modern Kindness -¬ Raghu and Dave remark on the encouraging level of consideration among the current youth. The greater exposure to the true connectedness of our lives seems to be generating a greater concern for and appreciation of our collective future • Family Ties (The ties that bind) - Michael points to the influence of tradition and spoon-fed comfort that can perpetuate nefarious actions within powerful families or corporations. What to do? Angry protests, or perhaps more mindfulness oriented actions? • The Reality of Love (The only reality) - Kindness, compassion - these are the only religions. It doesn’t eliminate suffering, but it allows us to se through it, and to move toward relieving it • Ganesh (The gateway drug) - We often need to use something to focus our attention on. The deeper we move into the practice, the more we understand that it’s what these objects represent that we are seeking. The best methods seem to self destruct See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Bums United - Ian explains how he was introduced to the mindrollers, and discusses some of his early transformers, including the discovery of transcendental meditation, and subsequently Buddhism • Don’t be a Buddhist (Be a Buddha) - There are no rules in Buddhism, just suggestions, which point in the direction of awakening. We can all have unique methods that move us closer to that state of awareness. Ian makes it a point to include Metta as part of his practice, citing it as a major shift on his path. Raghu highlights the synergistic effects of Vipassana in combination with the practice of Metta - Quiet the mind, invoke the heart • The Last Irish Monk - Ian talks about his initial discovery of U Dhammaloka, and the subsequent inspiration that led to his current film project, through which he hopes to rescue the great sage from obscurity • ‘Warning to Buddhists’ (Choice words from U Dhammaloka) Ian reads from some of the more controversial work of the late Irish monk, and expresses his deep admiration for the courage displayed throughout his mysterious existence - Engaged Buddhism is underated • Down with Dogma - U Dhammaloka was well known for his proactive and outspoken nature. His disappearance from history is not so surprising, given his proclivity for exposing untruths that undermine the established order • Cultural Considerations - Dave inquires about potential parallels between the struggles of Theos Bernard and those of U Dhammaloka in being accepted into these cultures. Raghu explains the greater acceptance in places like Burma, as opposed to the stricter standards of Tibet • Bum Support - Help Ian share this lost wisdom by donating to his current crowd funding campaign • Timeless Message - The actions taken by this little known Irish monk are as applicable today as they were in his time - Make your life your message See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Phobias Formed (Blame our ancestors) - Science points to direct experiences in forming phobias that can be found further down the genetic line. Raghu rattles off some of the more interesting fears in the modern age - does ignorance play a role in many of these irrational fears? • Mindfulness vs. Therapy (Head to Head) - Spiritual circles sometimes frown upon psychoanalysis, citing its potential to perpetuate thought patterns. We have to keep in mind that meditation alone can’t always provide the healing one might need. Some of the deeper wounds and unconscious fears can linger beyond meditations reach. Raghu agrees, and offers some of his own personal experience with therapy, advising to find someone who isn’t attached to any one school of thought. Dave highlights the unique brand of modern neuroses, which may require a multifaceted approach • Wounds (Deep Cuts) - Dave highlights the unique brand of modern neuroses, which may require a multifaceted approach. Can meditation and therapy adapt to the ever-evolving market of suffering? • Embrace, Explore and Understand - Working with your shadow is a difficult task, regardless of how you approach it. It requires a deep commitment to be honest and loving with yourself • Prolonging Mourning Meditation - At times, your practice may be preventing you from fully addressing your suffering. Try to avoid the spiritual bypass of pushing these issues away • Emancipatory Meditation (Choiceless Awareness?) - “Involves intimacy with oneself as an extraordinary and vital activity in which one attends to whatever one is experiencing without any preconceived conclusions, and without trying to get rid if it” - Don’t encourage, but be aware, without judgment • Ogre as Guru - Dave comments on one of the ‘Eight Verses of Thought Transformation’ by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa. Through practice we learn to transform what we detest - The teachings are everywhere and everyone. But, how do we actually apply this to real life horror, and when is it appropriate to act? Dave points to the current terror of ISIS, and draws on the teachings of the Dalai Lama in sorting this mess out • Taking Up Arms (With Brothers in Arms) - How can we remain mindful when using force, and play out our roles without attachment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at the 2014 ‘Open Your Heart in Paradise’ retreat in Maui, Raghu is joined by fellow Mindpod patron, Jack Kornfield, as well as the podcast guru himself, Duncan Trussell. The power trio chats about Duncan’s initiation into the Satsang, the sustainability of Dharma power, and the technology-fueled future of spirituality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can even Buddhist teachings become commercialized, homogenized and…lost? Or is it a quasi-tantric situation where desire is the fuel? A look at the delightful idea of “If you can’t eat it or fuck it, piss on it.” David & Raghu circle around concepts and contradictions within modern absorption of ancient teachings. And it always seems to end in the simplicity and depth of “kindness.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Harris (In the self-help section) - The gang weighs in on Mr. Harris, and his attempt to make an ‘intellectual case for those skeptical of the whole enterprise’. How should we approach his demand for validation regarding spiritual experiences The Media’s Role - Dave comments on the media’s false claim that the current youth is rejecting all religion, despite all the evidence that points to an increased interest in yoga, meditation, mysticism and psychedelics. Religion can’t be limited to specific guidelines Jack discusses his fluctuating stance regarding religion and it’s practices. In the end, a direct personal experience is difficult to disqualify. Can we definitively answer these questions? The Debate Rolls On - There appears to be an endless, ‘Us versus them’, quality to these discussions. The heated debates aren’t even limited to those in opposing fields of study. The good news is that more and more individuals seem to be open to all sides of the argument ‘Self’-Help - Who is really benefiting, and how? These books can sometimes be a distraction from dealing with our true sources of distress Adaptive Spirituality – Previous civilizations, with far less knowledge of the working universe, espoused certain religious views in an attempt to understand their role. Many of these belief systems are still at work, though clearly limited in scope. An open and contemplative approach toward the truth is crucial in avoiding dogmatic doctrine. If certain facets are proven to be flawed or unsound then we have to accept, and even embrace, the need for change The Real Initiation (Break your head) – Raghu recounts the story of a Maharaji devotee, and his personal encounter with the profound presence of direct experience. It’s a change in vantage point, not a lobotomy Judging Faith (Spiritual discrimination) – What about the folks who haven’t experienced the mind melting effects of these mystical encounters? Are they to simply trust those that make these claims? When we calm our mind, through meditation or other practices, our awareness deepens and we are better able to identify with the true Self. From this place, we seem less likely to be fooled or manipulated, in forming beliefs. Where Are You Coming From? – Rachael describes her recent experience in India, pointing to the heart-centered nature of the culture, as a whole. To them, family is everything, and this shows in their attitudes and traditions. Unfortunately, this sentiment has somewhat dissipated in the cities, and is beginning to resemble the more fractured relationships that are so predominant in the West People Are the Problem – These age-old arguments have been commonplace for as long as civilization has existed. How can we bridge the seemingly endless gap? Practice, practice, practice! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mr. Skeptiko (Skeptical, even of skeptics) - Alex encourages an assiduous examination of consciousness and those who deny it's all-pervasive nature Debunking the Debunker - How do we know when we are dealing with the Truth? Bias seems to be more common than not in many forms of journalism. When 'the facts' are actually put to light, they don't often shine so bright NDE (Not limited to the hospital) - Alex explains his takeaway from Eden Alexander's book, 'Proof of Heaven'. These experiences are ubiquitous, across many cultures, through many lifetimes. To truly study them requires a broad examination of the many ways in which they manifest Imprinting - Many faces, many forms - All of which are manifestations of the One. Maharaji, a Hindu Guru, said to 'meditate like Christ' Science vs. Consciousness (Epiphenomenon of the Brain?) Science treats consciousness as a byproduct of the brain, in the same way that insulin is a byproduct of the pancreas. But when asked about the necessary precursors to consciousness, they aren't able to pin it down. Science tends to resist the expansion of its current paradigm to encompass the mystery that is human consciousness Psychedelics (Where do they fit in?) - Alex discusses some of the research being regarding the role of psychedelics in understanding consciousness. These compounds seem to be revealing more of what is already there, rather than simply skewing 'normal' reality High-Minded Mysticism - Dave points out the prevalence of decidedly intelligent individuals among the outspoken proponents of many mystical and spiritual traditions. Unfortunately, much of Western culture is reluctant to let go of the 'out of sight, out of mind' mantra Wrong Narrative (Have we all been duped?) - Who do we trust, and how do we trust them? Science (Weak Samadhi) - The candle held by science seems to only reveal more darkness Trust - (Being home, and knowing it) - The felt presence of direct experience is crucial, but science is unable to dissect it, and therefore diminishes its relevance The Maharaji Connection - People, of all ages, all over the world, have been affected by Maharaji and his devotees. How could all of these individual experiences be mere coincidence? Skeptical Mindrolling - There is a wonderful community unfolding online, with forward-thinking at its foundation. The access is unprecedented and will only continue to expand Consumerism (A 'natural' byproduct of materialism) - Control seems to be at the center of this issue. "What better way to control your consciousness than to say it doesn't exist?' Much of what we take for granted in our culture is dependent upon this operating system The Mindrolling Mission - Try not to espouse opinions or beliefs about occurrences you haven't directly experienced See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Frozen Baba - Ashutosh Maharaj and his sub-zero Samadhi. Does the quality of one’s practice reveal itself in the often-remarkable deaths of great beings? • Genuine Insights (From a questionable politician) - Do seemingly nefarious actions preclude individuals from benevolent intuitions? Highlights the ongoing, ‘Us vs. Them’, conundrum. We are all complex beings, and we have to remain open to allow space for acceptance • Dave Finds Love (For an unlikely candidate) • Abundance Without Attachment (The holiday hustle) Prosperity and materialism are a common theme during the often-excessive holiday season. It’s attachment to money, not money itself that is the problem. How to get free? 1. Collect experience, not things. 2. Steer clear of excessive ‘usefulness’. 3. Get to the center of the wheel - What is the transcendental truth at the center of your wheel? Find it and focus. For Raghu and David this comes through the understanding and experience of God, Guru, and Self as One. Their material world revolves around this fundamental truth • Just Do It (For the sake of doing) - Mindfulness and joy result when our actions are motivated by the process rather than the result • ‘Sticky Desire’ - Our ‘desperate grasping’ fueled by fear of separation from our objects of desire (relationships, social status etc.) • Welfare (Farewell?) - The distribution of wealth in modern times is staggering and unprecedented. How do we approach this issue without bias? • The Mindrolling Mission - All these issues come back to the central question of finding balance, and cultivating an all-inclusive attitude toward our lives See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gang hangs with Duncan Trussell for the first of many live podcast taking place on Mindpodnetwork.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Quantum entanglement leads us to parallel mysticism, synchronicity and selflessness. A strange brew, yes, but interconnectedness is happening whether we know it or not, and seems ultimately is a conscious doorway to freedom. Raghu praises David for not getting enraged at noisy drunkards in a restaurant. We toss around the business of not killing bugs, and Dave’s pet, Boris the Spider. And what it is to see yourself as the lowest person as opposed to pride of selfhood. Tons of chewable subject matter here, no kidding… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dass talks with the Mindrollers about NDE, the safety of death, light beings, the Soul Pod, the Tibetan Book of the Dead…and G-d’s extensive wardrobe. He ends with describing his joy at witnessing the awakenings of so many people he has influenced. Episode Outline: • Ram Dass’ Impression of the NDE - We are ushered into the perspective of the Soul, and encounter other ‘light beings’ that seek to understand our connection to our previous incarnation. These beings are our ‘Soul Land Companions’ • From Ego to Soul - When we operate at the Soul level, our perception shifts into a heightened state of compassionate awareness • The Soul comes directly from God - The Atman (the One) is in everything. We move from Ego, to Soul, to the One - from that place of awareness, we are all indistinguishable • The Soulpod Satsang • The Unifying Bond of the ‘Soul Complex’ (The Undying Soul) • Drop, Become, Merge - Moving out of the perceptual mind and into the ocean of Love • ‘Death is Safe’ - Approaching death, without being overcome by fear • Parallels Between Psychedelics, NDE, and The Tibetan Book of the Dead • Cultural/Religious Imprinting (God’s Extensive Wardrobe) - There are many forms, but the message is consistent • Approaching the Transition - Ram Dass describes his experience and preparation in moving closer to death. Everything he can say and do is under the control of Maharaji. He witnesses all that comes to him with joy, rather than attachment • Unending Awakening - Ram Dass continues to awaken through everything and everyone that he encounters. We can always trust in the eternal presence of Love, in whatever form it comes • Dropping the Body - In death, the Soul drops the body, and moves on, in an intimate relationship with God, with the One See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest is teacher David Wagner, and we talk with him about cultivating versatile wisdom, the role of psychedelics in finding a path, trauma as gateway, and, once again, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This podcast fuses practical living and spiritual aspiration, with an unpretentious dude, always looking for ways to help, leaving his pride at the door, traveling on the inner plane both on and off his Harley... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is positive thinking always positive? Conversely, do we repeatedly talk ourselves into a nasty, negative self-image? R & D drill deep into some new - and scientific - views on all this mental manipulation. And how does mindfulness affect our ability to ameliorate how we think and behave? Along with this, Raghu waxes all medical and recommends a book to improve our gut feeling about…our gut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Carroll is a 16 year old comedian/seeker who has had outstanding media success in Britain. He happens to have cerebral palsy, but you would be hard put to find a young dude who is more cerebrally on top of things than Jack. We talk about comedy, Hare Krishna, Russell Brand, Bob Marley, kindness and madness - and personal inner peace. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imbibe seven intoxicating tracks from the Triloka Trance Planet series. This should result in a rapid rebooting of your consciousness, where the magic music takes over and the blues fade away. With commentary by R & D, this episode should take you to the heights of your head and the depths of your heart. These potent sounds go from pure folkloric to totally out there fusion…travel with the trancers and enjoy! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s all about the present of the present. Alan Watts on the “constantly retreating phantom” of the future... Ram Dass banishing methods/techniques if they are a trap to “end up free” - loving and living our exact present - one of the big big clues to happiness. Oh, and Raghu introduces the medical miracle of poop transplants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do G-d and science have a problem with each other, seriously? What are “non overlapping magisteria”? What is the true power of friendship? R & D ramble through very different realms of reality, ending in the great vibe of merely mentioning Nirvikalpa Samadhi… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mining the inner vigilance to stop your world and reset…meditation on ugliness…harming the self-cherishing mind…the transparent karma, the mysterious karma…all this as the second part of our take on the Dalai’s Lama’s thought transformation commentary plus a little Leonard Cohen music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

His Holiness’s ”Commentary On The Verses Of Thought Transformation” is our podcast 79 stimulus, where we explore the dangers of self-cherishing, the wisdom of the witness, the cunning of the ego-mind, the temptation of anger addiction, the glory of loving awareness, ending in a sublime George Harrison song. We - Raghu & David & Rachael & Noah & Nathan (the team) - love this podcast, possibly at the risk of subtle self-cherishing! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we neutralize the annoying and damaging inner judge? Relentlessly parsing other people’s words and worth is, simply put, really unhealthy and besides hurting other people, it upsets profoundly your own balancing act of living life. Within this mix, R&D also chat about India, William F. Buckley Jr. and the hidden treasures of Padmasambhava... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roshi Joan honors us with her wisdom and illuminated presence. She gets into the need for authentic daily practice and avoidance of the quick fix...dealing with moral distress...actualized compassion and retaining buoyancy in a difficult world...Thich Nhat Hanh and Alan Watts's influence...working with the great folklorist, Alan Lomax...bodhicitta and the awakened heart - a lot to chew upon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bruce Margolin, America's leading lawyer fighting unjust pot laws, talks about the whole spectrum of marijuana legal insanity, plus the racist, xenophobic origins of the "reefer madness" myth making. Plus we talk about a miraculous cannabis oil toddler's recovery. Laws are easing, but Bruce lets us know how the prejudice and ignorance continues, despite the overwhelmingly benign results of sensible pot usage, sensorium pot smoking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We tackle how to be happy, how to find equanimity within suffering...tough stuff...the mega ironies of the pleasure/desire chase..."love people, use things"...the strange fact that happiness and unhappiness are not actually opposites...death the leveler and finally "Dying" stores in strip malls - "Be Dead Now"...still, this is a happy podcast from two "cheerful melancholics." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When someone says “I’m spiritual not religious” what does that mean? How important is mysticism in spirituality? R & D roll this around, along with cheaper solar, no hating, Jesus as yogi, and the angel on 5th and 42nd… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stream of consciousness about…consciousness. Its abiding continuity behind and throughout “ordinary trauma"…its persistent existence beyond karma...its ultimately redemptive resonance. And what does it mean to see our body as merely a “rented house”? Also, R&D insist on knowing nothing once again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

R & D with Jamie Catto, film-maker best known for his iconic “One Giant Leap” global consciousness film. We enter into exploration of JC’s transformative films, workshops and lifestyle, which we trust will move listeners to check out his movies, so they too can create for themselves a quantum leap of awareness. Compelling conversation, definite food for thought... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tami Simon’s amazing company, Sounds True, has gathered and published for all of us a treasure trove of teachings – spoken word, music, more…so we just had to talk to her. Her mission, without pretension, was always to “disseminate spiritual wisdom.” Tami’s teachers and catalysts affected her as if she were “being held by an unlimited field of awe and wonder.” We hear her wisdom regarding ambiguity, so-called broken-ness and the constant conversation on the inner plane. Tami is a rare example of mindful private enterprise, passionate about relaying knowledge and inward grasp to everyone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Potent, beautiful perspectives brought about by shattering epiphanies out of the blue - R & D get into this with chat ranging from the edge of awakening caused by everything from a heart attack to a post-concussion Jersey cow. And what is the real difference between acquisitive quid pro quo “love” and pure, unconditional love? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mirabai Starr speaks truth from profound personal experience, her dark night of the soul – as well as kindly communicating to us the curative possibilities of transformation via grief. It’s just so special to hear her visions and interpretations of amazing mystics as well as her lucid articulation of the Oneness of all authentic spiritual paths. Mirabai’s transcendent work and perspective is a healing in itself. Meeting Mirabai’s heart and soul is like drinking cool, clear water in the flame of the hot desert. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should Hedge Funders find their edge through meditation? Is it OK for killers to practice mindfulness? R & D get into that plus Mr. Rogers, the Quaker Oats man, the fine art of eye contact, Maria Shriver, martial arts and the Gita. Good luck. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rewire your thoughts/emotions and Eureka – neuroplasticity! Plus we gab about mindfulness techniques allowing us to observe and lessen the hyped up reactions and transcend the tedious triggers - then, relief and release - huge and tiny setbacks may lose their nasty grip on our day…this and a killer William Burroughs track and you have a rockin’ Podcast 67. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does consciousness exist outside the constraints of time and space? Does new science substantiate Tibetan vision, vindicate the lysergic realization? Rolling with life and afterlife cradled by the non-local, meanwhile, as usual, R & D exuding anecdotes, antidotes, a rant and a minimum of cant… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein, Insight Meditation Society sage, with us in conversation about his new book “Mindfulness: A Practical Guide To Awakening” – washing the mind of neurosis; combating I, Me, Mine; what you’re looking for is what is looking… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KD in a far-ranging conversation with R & D, plus tracks from his brand new “Kirtan Wallah” CD. We talk about the realities of having or not having a guru… KD on non-emotional longing, loving the inner self, re-awakening after our obsession with who we think we are…how chanting keeps bringing you back… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Indie Spiritualist, Chris Grosso, is our refreshing guest, and he takes us out of the deep darkness of addiction into the high light shining from the transmission of heart, via his own epiphanies with everyone from Eddie van Halen through to Trungpa Rinpoche. “Life is beautiful and disgusting both” Chris says and urges us to love all of it… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Judith Orloff guides us through the natural, human and humane ecstasy of true surrender on the road to health and healing…going-with-the-flow style acceptance - whatever - being the true engine for freedom ...the fulfilling courage of working with what we’ve got – David and Raghu take heed… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and Dave gab with Jai Uttal, world music and kirtan pioneer. They introduce Jai's excellent new album "Return to Shiva Station" - also on the table, Ali Akbar Khan, Jai's musical Guru, and his exploits with the Bauls of Bengal deep in the forests near Calcutta, India. Order Jai's new album here: http://goo.gl/ThxOtA See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carl Jung brilliantly interpreted by Alan Watts, wow…the value of recognizing your inner rascal and redemption “in the arms of your own kindness”…David’s personal memories of an incisive comedian and Raghu’s recollections of the 16th Karmapa... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“How unconscious thought and perception affect our waking state.” Our podcast exposes the undertow of snap judgements, fast anger, and the plague of default expectations based on minimal information. David explains the “witness” concept and we quote Pema Chodron on eradication of the fixed mind. A ton of talking punctuated by Beck’s new music… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan T returns, full of tales of his happy service day...a Dalai Lama anecdote/antidote - his answer to the big big key question as to why we are here…baby poop in the supermarket...Duncan on the magic of generosity… and Raghu’s embarrassing moment with Maharaji… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What are Qualia? Consciousness components. From the outer: animals, buildings, supermodels. From the inner: ideas, desires, sensibilities, art, aspirations. They are about seeing and imagining being the same thing. Qualia are the building blocks of creation. Qualia are rooted in consciousness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

R&D on reaching for the inner universe…eradicating the “paranoid ghost puppet performers”…smoking with Bob…loving Anais Nin…love, love, love – the eternal urge.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Banishing blame is the aim, admonishing anger is the game. The amazing Pali Katannu Sutta…Costco…and, last but never least, “no longer laying trips on anyone.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lonely is never good, alone is cool. Sexy oldsters. Loneliness creating sickness, even arthritis. R&D tell their dreams...Jimi sings the blues and we explore craving and behaving... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrollers chat with the Lama: Is there really a chasm between us and them? Seems we need to cultivate empathy with our distant neighbors. We need to slow down and increase our attention and intention.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mr. Shiva Baum and the intrepid Mindrollers commune at the church of Springsteen...compare the crazed sixties and the weird now...talk about cutting through the illusion and the kirtan phenomenon... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet Dennis McKenna and take in reflections upon his early life, his brilliant brother Terence, and their pioneer explorations of all manner of psychedelic substances. No question, the McKennas together changed the way we looked at altered, expanded consciousness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Kornfield, one of the seminal messengers of Buddhism to the West, in conversation with us...in his own inimitable, honest and uber-lucid way, Jack delivers amazingly helpful insights into useful Buddhist/universal ways of being. "The task is not to perfect yourself, it's to perfect your love." - Jack Kornfield To learn more about Jack visit his website: http://www.jackkornfield.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Talking holistic radical radio with airwaves innovator Alan Hutner - conspiracy chemtrail entertainment, bhakti broadcasting, Arlo Guthrie... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny's eloquence and wisdom about Dr. King as well as his rich personal anecdotes about activism, politics and music giants Nirvana and Zeppelin in his life... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duncan and the Mindrollers dealing with their inner "alien" intruder and not getting crazy... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first." - Jim Morrison See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 R & D discuss "Reaching" as a practice in itself -  the deft movement in consciousness  to be more present, to be attending, to be tender... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg, world renowned author and Buddhist meditation teacher joins us for a discussion on Lovingkindness in the face of adversity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do the rich care about the poor? The invisible people as seen by the very visible...the empathy gap and how to close it... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spontaneous orgasms...“homo economicus”...compassion & neural networks...sex on the beach out of the blue, and a Chrissie Hynde song thrown in... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're going after the afterlife. Is it consciousness or is it simply legacy? What? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Suffering is grace. Suffering is a nightmare. Can both be true? How in the name of real life do we deal with pure pain? And how do we handle other people’s suffering? Finding the balance... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

High Himalayan India R&D: Raghu’s latest yatra. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Tsultrim Allione is our honored guest – she’s great. We concentrate on her truly transformative book “Feeding Your Demons.” The book's core concept/vision: “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light but by making the darkness conscious.” Yeah, can't argue with that - facing and transforming your shadow self is pretty essential in the liberation process... Check out the Wikipedia entry Here for brief yet solid biographical info about our guest. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Music is a beatific balm to our psyche, suggesting our soul... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leaning into trauma and loss. Loving impermanence. Well, OK...but easier said than done. The comfort zone of normality-seeking “untrauma” always beckoning enticingly. We talk about the “opportunity” of the willingness to face distress... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The "movie of me"...selfishness out of selflessness?..."irregular thinking"...spiritual practice as success mode?...OK, let's stay positive for a moment... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An R & D on the uses and abuses of meditation...Doing yoga just to look cool...Finally cutting through the thoughts and finding your heart through proper practice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following guitarist extraordinaire/dharma communicator David Nichtern’s quick turn from the music studio to the Buddhist pure land  – prajna, rigpa and recording... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

R & D opine about the commercial business of so-called enlightenment plus they offer some words about how to not go nuts if your work is oppressing and depressing you. How do you stay positive when your job kinda sucks? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Judith Orloff, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry UCLA, defines “Emotional Freedom” as the capacity to give and receive love, what it is to be a true empath and what mirror neurons are all about...R&D listen... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity” (Simone Weil) “By this definition, our relationship to the world, and to one another, and to ourselves are becoming increasingly miserly.” (Jonathan Safran Foer) Do we communicate more and love less? Are we hard wired for connection or isolation? R & D do their due diligence on all of this... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Magical, mystical, mysterious, mellifluous music from the legendary Triloka World Music catalog. Enjoy the music and banter from Raghu and David. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can right wingers be Buddhists?  What is the military-industrial-media complex? Can we resist without rage? How can we avoid harming another heart?  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Dylan - born half a year before Pearl Harbor with his word fugues of our future always old/forever young – he rocked a rotten society...what rocks youth now...our 2013 parallel universe...getting the charge, the message, without needing a drug or a guru...a 9/11 first responder’s love tale... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A little music, a Mad Man, slight madness and some sanity ranging from Pema Chodron to Richard Nixon with entertainment by Malian angel Rokia Traoré.  Podcast gets into music as transportation; sixties/now parallels; “shmoos”; stealing chocolate; “learning to stay”; not chasing thoughts; and service/social activism. Plus “what have we really got out of years of practice?”   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrolling twins dig into the world of free form radio with Tom Lopez aka Meatball Fulton - a pioneer of the genre from back in the 60’s. Tom talks about his relationship with Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart who was a compadre of Frank Zappa and wrote and performed incredibly bizarre yet transcendent music. In fact the New York Times called it “the strange uncle of post-punk”. Also featured are a few vignettes of highly evocative radio plays Tom has produced. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dass talks about his relationship with the great Tibetan Lama, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Includes detailed moments with Trungpa and Ram Dass at different events and venues in the early 70’s where Trungpa was teaching - the methods he used with his students and the dismay of many who were offended by his unusual behavior and teachings that were enigmatic to say the least. Ram Dass delves into a substantial issue around teachers in the West that are unconventional and sometimes divisive yet can provide students with a path that allows for real growth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Navigating the conventional world and its roles – and escaping them: our chat with TV producer/teacher/friend Peter Goldsmith: How to roll your mind away from obsessive identification with the “work you”... How to see all true paths as exactly the same... How to say hello to the inner self... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DUNCAN TRUSSELL, conscious humorist pal and podcast guru, is back with us, and we expand upon mind expansion, conquering cancer, mortality, Allen Ginsberg, the edges of time and space, downloading divine info, “disciplic succession,” and love underlying everything. It’s an intense yet hilarious trip into Duncan’s mind and heart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“American Veda” author Philip Goldberg traces how Eastern philosophy and practice developed in the U.S., making it clear that yoga, meditation and kirtan didn’t just spring up here out of nowhere. We learn about the progression from people like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Swami Vivekananda, George Harrison and Ram Dass. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche said, “The quality of a really good teacher is “rascalness." Why do we need the outright unpredictable sometimes in order to progress spiritually? This week our Mindrollers delve into true intuitive wisdom, cults, humor as teaching, and the connection between art and consciousness. Catch their drift and open your mind or maybe lose it... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and David welcome Ram Dass and his co-author Rameshwar Das, who just finished their new book, Polishing the Mirror. Ram Dass talks about the moment that his life changed when he met his Guru and how that “moment” became viral with so many people. Also revealing discussion around honesty and being at the edge of awakening with dying people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mindrollers traverse from the implant of knowledge via a teacher (or not) through to the real meaning of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” as explained to David by Roger Waters himself. Also ruminations about “rascal” teachers, the true nature of surrender, the dark presence of fear in our lives, and love as a disease. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David and Raghu investigate the unusual "Shambala Sun" cover story by Norman Fischer. Our Mindrollers present their own version of how to deal with life - stop blaming people, the world is upside down -turn it over, everything is the path including your step-mother, overcome self-interest as in Dave’s fixation with a certain European sport and confusion is the Buddha - not to be confused by our guys’ continuing lifetime journey to awareness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mickey Lemle’s documentary “Fierce Grace” passionately covers Ram Dass’s life post-stroke and also gives us a  transcendent look at aging when life suddenly involves intense hardship.  We talk with Mickey about this and also his seminal film "Compassion in Exile: The Life of The 14th Dalai Lama"...tons of great anecdotes... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mirabai Bush, who co-founded The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, has worked with everyone from Google to troubled youth to the army, teaching the practice of mindfulness. If anyone needs more mindfulness, it’s the two Mindrollers, whose aspirations far over-reach their achievements... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharon Salzberg joins Mindrolling on location on Maui and shares her incredible clarity and huge heart. She lends a hand to our intrepid Mindrollers on how to navigate the vicissitudes of our complex lives thru awareness, compassion and meditation. As she says, "May the Minds Roll."  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and David sit with Krishna Das, who the New York times has called the Chant Master of American Yoga. They discuss chanting as a practice and people taking on "uncooked Gurus".  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activism without anger, resistance without rancor: it's hard to reach detachment when the political world is making you crazy.  What to do? Vajravarahi is a spiritual energy deity perceived to transmute the Five Negative Afflictions which represent five obstructions that obscure the true nature of life.  These Five Afflictions are greed, hatred, delusion, jealousy and pride. Like all fearsome figures in Tantric Buddhism, she is protective & simply wrathful for beneficial reasons.  She fits the bill for helping change the negative emotions that prevent us from balancing ourselves or society.   Original Text by: Tristan Rigby - Rishigallery.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is a guru? What is a teacher?  Raghu and David offer gentle though and definitions of an “accomplished being” a “siddha” and of a teacher, some of whom are great and some actually harmful...they speak about the saga of Joya Santanya, her Shakti, and her ego... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More spectacular experiences with sacred musicians: Bob Marley, Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Bhagavan Das. Both frightening and enlightening times with world, trance and the beginnings of chant and kirtan music is explored. David and Raghu discuss the practice of opening the heart by chanting, where no thinking is necessary.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This podcast with our dear friend Shyam Das which was scheduled for broadcast today January 22, 2013 tragically coincided with his passing in a motorcycle accident in India three days ago. There are simply no adequate words to describe this loss to all of us. Master chanter, brilliant Krishna scholar, Shyamdas was globally revered, but much more importantly, he was loved for his delightful and friendly ways, his sparkling humorand his seamless, astonishing devotion to the ancient tradition of the ways of love for the Hindu facsimile of the Manifest Divine, Krishna and Radha. Synchronistically, this podcast features a conversation we did with him just before he left for India for the last, fateful time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David and Raghu talk about David's interview with Frank Zappa, and 60’s music from Detroit soul to California drug music. Raghu has an embarrassing Led Zeppelin experience. R & D discuss high beings coming into their lives...India...“dolphins in the Ganges”...Raghu’s father’s transformation...meeting Muktananda...Burmese Insight Meditation practice – Goldstein, Salzberg, Kornfield...Buddhism and Bhakti in the West...Ram Dass and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

American Lama Surya Das talks with us about his sixties influences such as folk music, John Lennon, and his early questioning of the meaning of life. He carefully compares these times for the current youth generation to our own, where crises often happen along with optimistic youth outreach.  He tells us more about the Dzogchen Buddhist Mindrolling tradition. He remembers being with Neem Karoli Baba and how he absorbed the Buddhist wisdom.  Surya Das gets into the path to authentic life balance and letting be.  He discusses his “WOW” suggestion – Wishing Others Well and the loving kindness practice.  He mentions how H.H. The Dalai Lama encouraged him to practice “compassionate action.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This podcast explores the positive and negative aspects of media, including social media. Raghu recalls playing Ram Dass tapes on the radio back in the day and meeting Maharaji. David compares 1960’s media to 1980’s cable explosion to the 2012 vastly expanded current global Internet. The potential abuse of social media is weighed along with its progressive and humanitarian communication quantum leaps. Spirituality via media is analyzed. Does instant information actually make us happier, more relaxed, and more truly connected? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our friend Danny Goldberg is a music industry legend, former Chairman of Warner Brothers Records and President of Atlantic Records, Danny discovered and managed Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and was the head of Led Zeppelin’s record company, "Swansong" amongst other things. The conversation revolves around Danny’s experience in combining great worldly success and a spiritual path. We get into the sixties and the origins of expanded consciousness via Ram Dass and the teacher Hilda Charlton. Remembering Martin Luther King’s words “Although we live in the colony of time, we owe our allegiance to the empire of eternity.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we achieve balance in our life in a practical way? Dave and Raghu talk about the Tibetan leader of the Mindrolling lineage, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche and her wise words...loving the present...combatting stressors...talking about everyone wanting happiness...practicality and practice...transcending the “monkey mind”...adventures with Chogyam Trungpa. And “how to be in this world?” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu and David chat with Duncan Trussell, Los Angeles based conscious stand up comedian and podcaster about humor, awareness and the parallels between the late sixties and the Millennial generation, comparing boomer and echo-boomer predicaments and solutions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Music can actually transform our consciousness, thereby changing our life, song by song, chant by chant. We discuss the sixties and the momentum created during that time. David tells us about his extensive work with Bob Marley. We hear a couple of tracks from the unique Triloka world music label and examine trance as experienced through being open to and listening to music of all kinds from John Coltrane to Ali Akbar Khan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A dual biographical podcast.  “From our past and your future,” David’s many experiences with Timothy Leary...his film biopic with Tim and his feelings about death and dying.  Ram Dass and Leary.  David’s amazing altered consciousness experience in Tim’s house, a few weeks after Tim died.  Raghu’s magnetization to Ram Dass while a FM program director in Montreal and his progression to India and the guru.  David in Morocco with the Jajouka Master Musicians.  The experiencing of Neem Karoli Baba.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The first podcast traces the history of the awakening process for the two hosts via culture and intensified awareness - the sixties were the engine of the movement towards consciousness, via the Vietnam War, psychedelics, music, and community.  David and Raghu look back on “going through the changes” and emerging from the repressive atmosphere of the early sixties into the radical, healing effects of the Beat Generation, The Beatles and Bob Dylan.  Early inner and outer encounters with Transcendental Meditation, the Hare Krishna movement and Meher Baba are explored, plus willing aping of the behavior of icons John Lennon, George Harrison and Pete Townshend. This podcast draws parallels between experiences and learning curves of the sixties and seventies and those of the present. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.