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.

Professor Thurman is joined by dear friend Krishna Das in this special episode of the Bob Thurman Podcast to discuss the life and work of Ram Das, the history of mindfulness in the West and for a dialog about remaining cheerful in these troubled times. Podcast includes a short biography of Neem Karoli Baba and his impact upon Western seekers, a discussion of the non-dual nature of love, the power of spiritual models and friends and personal stories from their time studying with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibet House US Conversations : Nina Rao – Episode 230 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded at the Annual Tibet House US gathering held at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York 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 (THUS) 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 Conversations : Krishna Das – Episode 234 of the Bob Thurman Podcast photo via www.krishandas.com  To learn more about the work and music of Krishna Das, please visit www.krishandas.com

In honor of Tibetan New Year and the 600th anniversary of the enlightenment of Tsongkhapa, Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the history of women in Buddhism and details the on-going work to re-evaluate and re-establish Vajrayana Tantric traditions in hearts, minds and lives of institutional monastics and modern householder practitioners. Opening with a short discussion of New Year's celebrations in Tibet, Robert A.F. Thurman elaborates the benefits of studying the teachings and commentaries of Lama Tsongkhapa for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of yoga, meditation and the Buddhist Inner Sciences. Podcast includes: an in-depth exploration of the impact of male dominated culture on the transmission of advanced Buddhist practices for women, personal stories about translating commentaries on "secret" advanced Tantric texts and an introduction to the importance of the queens, consorts and female poets of South India. This episode concludes with an invitation to join Professor Thurman during upcoming teachings at Tibet House US, Menla Retreat and online with Wisdom Publications. About Lama Tsongkhapa and “International Year of Tsongkhapa” ​Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357-1419) was one of the greatest scholar-practitioners in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Gelug tradition. On December 30th, 2018, the 104th Ganden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin, the supreme head of the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism proclaimed that 2019 will be “International Year of Tsongkhapa.” “I call upon all Gelukpas and well-wishers to render their support to spreading awareness of the eloquent teachings and writings of the great Master Tsongkhapa throughout the world. I encourage Geluk monasteries, centers, organizers, individuals and admirers of Master Tsongkhapa worldwide to initiate special activities throughout the year of 2019 to commemorate (the) 600th anniversary of the great master and to inspire beings to follow in his footsteps.” Ganden Tri Rinpoche Buddha's Noble Daughters : Buddhist Tantra for All - Ep. 233 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via www.tenzinpalmo.com. 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 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

In this episode Robert A.F. Thurman gives an introductory teaching on the history and context of Buddhist Sutras and the Buddhist Medical Tradition as expressed in the mandala of the Medicine Buddha. Using the second chapter of the "The Noble Mahāyāna Sūtra : The Teaching of Vimalakīrti" Robert Thurman introduces the idea of a Buddhafield or Buddha-verse exploring the Buddha's revolutionary teaching that anyone can transform their mind, body and environment through wisdom and compassion. Podcast includes: an introduction to non-dualism and it's relationship to karma and reincarnation, an elaboration of the Buddhist Inner Sciences using the seven stages of dissolution and a light hearted discussion on the value of imagination using the popular science fiction films "The Matrix", "Men in Black" and the classic BBC television series "Dr. Who." Opening the second half of this week's episode with a recitation of the Medicine Buddha mantra Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the history of Buddhist Medicine and how it relates to the on-going mission of Tibet House US at Menla, the Dalai Lama's retreat center in the Catskill Mountains. Hiking with the Medicine Buddha - Ep. 232 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image of the Medicine Buddha Mandala via www. himalayaart.com. 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. Hiking with the Medicine Buddha - Ep. 232 the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from the 2012 "Hiking in the Catskills" gathering at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa. 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.

Using popular culture and recent world history as a jumping off point, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a talk on the nature of civilization and the rise, spread and evolution of Buddhist culture and industrial militarism. Opening with an introduction to Samuel P. Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" Professor Thurman traces the origins of Neo-conservatism, religious fundamentalism and industrialized military economies to the fundamental misunderstanding of the of reality and the interdependent nature of humanity and civilizations. Podcast includes: a recommendation of "The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and The Will of the People" by Jonathan Schell, a Buddhist perspective on the history of the Cold War between Russia and the United States, a discussion of the dangers of militarized police forces, preemptive war and a humorous exploration of the concept of mutually assured destruction and of industrialized war economies. Second half of this week's episode includes a discussion of the value of life long education and how recent neuroplasticity studies confirm and compliment the teachings of the Buddha's inner and outer sciences. Episode concludes with a reading of the poetry of Redwing Keyssar by Gary Gach. Clash of Civilizations : Buddhism & Modern Culture - Ep. 231 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol. Clash of Civilizations : Buddhism & Modern Culture - Ep. 231 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted from a talk to professional students, recorded in Russia in 2012.