Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this episode, recorded on the “Super Moon” of August 2020, Professor Thurman introduces the historic Vajra Yoga teacher training being held in person and online with The Yoga Space’s Michele Loew and the Tibet House US Menla community. Teaching to Yoga students in person and live on Zoom, Bob Thurman gives a teaching on the interconnected nature of Buddhism, Yoga, the Inner Sciences, Psychotherapy and particle physics. Introducing the philosophies of yoga, dualist and nondualist, Shiva and Kalachakra Yogas through personal stories and line translations, this episode includes: an overview of Basic Buddhism, through the Tipitaka or “Pali Canon”, the three baskets or bodies of scriptue the Vinaya, Sutta, and the  “Three Higher Educations” or Trisiksa of Ethics, Meditation and development of wisdom. “Each of you is perfect the way you are… and you can use a little improvement.”- Shunryu Suzuki The Vajra Yoga Teacher training is an intensive studies program & includes study and contemplation of traditional texts and practices from Indian and Tibetan traditions, including but not limited to The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali and selected Pāli Suttas, such as the Samaññaphala, the Mahāsatipatthana, and the Aggañña Suttas, The Yoga Vasishta and the Vimalakirti and Flower Ornament Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and the Lalitavistara Sutra, Shankarāchārya’s Yogatārāvalī and Shantideva’s Bodhisattvas Career, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Mañjushrī-nāma-saṁgītī, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and various works by Jey Tsong Khapa and the Dalai Lama on deity yoga and on the inner science of the Esoteric Community and the Kalachakra. To learn more about this on-going offering, please visit: www.menla.org. Vajra Yoga: Foundations in Mind and Body – Ep. 242 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via www.himalayanart.org.

Reconnecting for the first time since the Covi-19 pandemic began Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman discuss the her book “Real Change” and how the tools of mindfulness skill training, Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Dalai Lama have influenced them over the years. Opening with stories from the “Peacemaking: The Power of Nonviolence” Conference held in San Francisco, California, in 1997 Sharon details how her time with grassroots activists, front-line health care providers, students and labor organizers practicing meditation have inspired, informed and invigorated her. Podcast includes discussions of: Bell Hook’s perspective on social action and the value of creativity and art in creating change, How mindfulness practice can lead one to the tools and the and the Buddhist Inner Sciences of mind transformation, and how individuals living the reality of the teachings of compassion and equanimity can be found all around us. Tibet House US Menla Conversations: Sharon Salzberg – Ep. 243 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded during the live online event “Real Change: Covid, Climate Reality, and the New Normal“, September, 7th, 2020. To learn more about the work and teachings of Sharon Salzberg, please visit her website: www.sharonsalzberg.com. This podcast is apart of the Tibet House US Conversations series of dialogues between Bob Thurman & the leading hearts, minds & personalities bringing the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and Tibet into the modern mindful and compassionate revolution. The Tibet House US Menla Online (THUS MO) Conversations are produced through the generous support of it’s membership community and are a part of the digital member archive made available as a part of becoming a monthly supporter. Tibet House US Menla Conversations: Sharon Salzberg – Ep. 243 Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Mark Epstein M.D. discuss the history of scientific studies on the effects of meditation training since Buddhism’s migration to the West and encounter with materialists, psychotherapists and poets. Settling down after their annual Buddhism and Psychotherapy gathering, Bob Thurman and Mark Epstein reflect upon their twenty plus years teaching together, the on-going dialog between mental health care-givers and Buddhist Psychonauts, highlighting the teachers and teachings which impacted their work, writing and personal journeys. Candidly sharing details about his next book, Mark describes his academic career, the untold stories behind his groundbreaking writings, and shows how his lifelong combination of concentrated meditation practice with clinical psychological practice and study have earned him his eminent place on the front lines of the mindfulness revolution. This episode includes: an exploration of the influence of the historical Buddha, Freud, Ginsberg, John Cage, D.W. Winnicott, D.T. Suzuki, Tsongkhapa, 14th Dalai Lama, Yeshi Dhonden, Gelek Rimpoche, wives and close family have had upon Professor Thurman and Dr. Epstein, an introduction to Abhidharma, and the relationship between Buddhist Inner Sciences, Vajrayana, yoga and modern psycho-therapeutic practice. Recorded August 2020 this podcast includes a possible solution to the Zen koan of “one hand clapping”, also known as the un-stuck sound. Tibet House US Menla Conversations with Mark Epstein M.D. – Ep. 241 of the Bob Thurman Podcast photo by David Gabriel Fischer via Zen Diary.

In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Lavinia Currier discuss the history of environmental awareness in light of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Recounting childhood stories from the first Earth Day, film maker and life long environmentalist Lavinia Currier shares insights from her experience as an mother, organic farmer, creative producer and protector of pristine beaches in Hawaii and of the three great forests of the world. Episode includes: A short history of environmental activism in America, an introduction to simple, cruelty free methods of pest control, an examination of the relationship between food deserts, economic inequality and the rise of community gardens, gardening, farm markets, and CSAs (crop share associations). Episode concludes with a Buddhist perspective on facing depression online by Professor Thurman highlighting the potential silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic pause occurring during quarantine, This podcast is apart of the Tibet House US Menla Online Conversations series of dialogues between Bob Thurman & the leading hearts, minds & personalities bringing the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and Tibet into the modern mindful and compassionate revolution. The Tibet House US Menla Online (THUSMO) Conversations are produced through the generous support of its membership community and are a part of the digital member archive made available as a part of becoming a monthly supporter. Tibet House US Menla Onlie Conversations : Lavinia Currier – Ep. 240 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via Pu'u O Hoku Ranch and was recorded via Zoom April 2020.  

In this extended conversation Dr. Mark Hyman and Robert A.F. Thurman explore the relationship between diet, food production, the climate crisis and the rise of global pandemics. Opening with a short history of farm policy and government food subsidies in the United States, Professor Thurman and Dr. Hyman share stories from their work over the years with students, patients, thought leaders and those concerned about the reality of climate change. Podcast includes: a frank discussion of the industrial food, agriculture and oil lobby, a physician's perspective on stevia and artificial sweeteners and an extended overview of Buddhist medicine and the use of plant medicine, health tonics and food based remedies across traditions. This episode concludes with a call to action for cultural creatives, venture capitalists, medical practitioners and those of influence to support positive fact based lobbying efforts and the production of a documentary film series based on Dr. Mark Hyman's best selling book "Food Fix" and informed by Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Head of Strategy and Innovation at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. To learn more about the work of Dr. Mark Hyman, please visit his website: www.drhyman.com. This podcast is apart of the Tibet House US Menla Conversations: a series of dialogues between Bob Thurman & the leading hearts, minds & personalities bringing the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and Tibet into the modern mindful and compassionate revolution. Tibet House US Conversations : Dr. Mark Hyman – Ep. 239 of the Bob Thurman Podcast photo via www.drhyman.com.

Using the teachings of the historical Buddha, Nagarjuna and Shantideva, Robert A.F. Thurman elaborates the concept of cool heroism and the yoga of practical non-violence passed down from India and Tibet. Opening with a humorous introduction to the non-violent teachings of Gandhi and the Buddhist perspective on theism, Professor Thurman gives an explanation of his concept of cool heroes, Inner Cool Revolutions, giving examples of cool heroism from recent history and modern politics. Podcast includes a discussion of the value and place of anger in creating change, an overview of the Buddhist concept of selflessness and a guided meditation on the equal exchange of self and other. Cool Heroism & The Great Re-Thinking - Ep. 238 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is an excerpt from The Great Re-thinking Prophets Conference talk "Cool Heroism : Response to Our Crisis of Violence" by Robert A.F. Thurman, recorded in Oxford, England, Image via www.himalayanart.org.

Introducing the iconography of the Medicine Buddha used to train Tibetan Buddhist medical practitioners , Robert A.F. Thurman explores the foundations of Buddhism and the role of leadership within the Buddha's non-violent revolutionary philosophy. Opening with a short history of Buddhist medicine and Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Science of Healing, Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the Buddhist perspective on leadership for individuals and communities facing conflict and hoping to create sustainable change. Podcast includes discussions of: the value of creative and humorous rudeness, the role of women's anger in creating change and an overview of the Buddhist concept of selflessness. Buddhist Leadership & The Medicine Buddha - Ep. 237 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Podcast Image via www.himalayanart.org. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Buddhist Leadership & The Medicine Buddha - Ep. 237 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is an excerpt from University of Richmond's Jepson Leadership Forum talk "Conflict Between and Within: A Buddhist Perspective" in 2014.

Exploring the landscape of modern democracy as it relates to the election of American presidents through extended primary processes, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a teaching on the need for cooperation between candidates and what a team of rivals would look like. Using the New York Times opinion piece by Thomas L. Friedman "Dems, You Can Defeat Trump in a Landslide" as a starting point, Professor Thurman opens this week's episode with an overview of his "Dream Team Cabinet" Call to action and the responsibility laid out in the Buddha's philosophy of wisdom, compassion and skillful means. Podcast includes: an exploration of the impact of translated language upon modern understanding of Buddhism, a discussion of Buddhist ethics and of the "Eight Fold Path". Team of Rivals : Buddhism & Vajra Politics - Ep. 236 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Team of Rivals : Buddhism & Vajra Politics - Ep. 236 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded at the home of Robert & Nena Thurman in Upstate New York, March 2020. Listen to more archive recordings from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. The songs “Trance Tibet” & ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

In this extended recording Professor Thurman gives an introductory teaching on the centrality of reincarnation to the Buddha's philosophy and how an understanding of past and future lives is essential to becoming enlightened. Using the teachings of Atisha, Tsongkhapa and the 14th Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman begins the teaching with a humorous thought experiment examining the materialist notions unpinning intellectual discussion about past and future lives. Episode includes : a short history of Buddhism in India, Tibet and Asia, an exploration of the Christian traditions of reincarnation and explanation of the process of becoming enlightened as told in the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha. This episode is the recording of the thought-provoking and lively lecture “Past & Future Lives: Is Enlightenment Possible Without Them?” with Robert Thurman, given at Maitripa College in Portland, OR on April 8, 2016. Past & Future Lives Buddhism 101 : Bob Thurman Podcast Bonus photo by Wonderlane. This recording from the “Past & Future Lives: Is Enlightenment Possible Without Them?" was originally excerpted as the episode: "Do We Need to Believe in Past & Future Lives to Become Enlightened? - Ep. 66" of the Bob Thurman Podcast. This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. The songs “Trance Tibet” & ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

In this extended episode Professor Thurman gives an inspiring talk on the role of cultural creatives in creating peaceful social revolutions and how Buddhism's spread influenced modern counter culture movements of the West. Bright Futures : Buddhism & Cultural Creatives - Ep. 235 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the monthly support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Bright Futures : Buddhism & Cultural Creatives - Ep. 235 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded at the home of Robert and Nena Thurman in Upstate, New York. Listen to more archive recordings from past Robert A.F. Thurman teachings + public events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. To learn about the benefits of Tibet House US Membership please visit: www.tibethouse.us. The songs “Trance Tibet” & ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.