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.

Examining the concept of the ‘mere I’, Loch Kelly chats with Raghu about non-self and effortless mindfulness.Click HERE for some complementary 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 the ‘mere I’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.