Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this podcast Robert A.F. Thurman addresses why the ancient teachings of Buddha and the yogic inner scientists of India and Tibet still find a central role in the hearts, minds and cultures of the Himalayan Plateau, Central Asia and Mongolia. Opening this week’s episode acknowledging the acts of bravery and solidarity found throughout the daily lives of the Tibetan exile community in the United States and Canada, Professor Thurman gives a comprehensive introduction to Buddhism, Buddha and their connections to modern quantum physics, interdependence and colonialism. Podcast includes a discussion of how Buddhism additionally to being a Religion is also an educational system with value to those of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities in these troubled changing times. Second half of the episode includes an exploration of the concepts of virtue, skill, mindfulness and how the Buddhist education system can increase the happiness, well-being and health of all those who encounter it. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry and writings of Joy Harjo by Gary Gach. Why Buddhism Matters : Past, Present and Future – Ep. 209 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo by TCCC. Recorded for the Tibetan Canadian Culture Centre’s Summer Workshop 2019 For Tibetan Youth and Young Professionals, July 19th, 2019.

A special message from Professor Thurman on the historical role of active political engagement in Buddha’s life and how Buddhism is political and always has been. Continuing his call to action for a Democratic Party “Dream Team” in 2020 and for a “Bright Money” campaign based on the wisdom of interdependence, the practice of compassionate generosity and environmental protection Professor Thurman gives a teaching on the history of the Buddha’s own political nature. “Buddhism is Political – Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman & friends please visit: www.menla.us.

In this extended podcast bonus Professor Thurman discusses the current global political crisis facing all citizens as the effects of climate change are becoming more and more pronounced in their daily lives. Continuing his call to action for a Democratic Party “Dream Team” in 2020 and discussion on the connections between Buddhism, Democracy and the environment, Robert A.F. Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on the history of Buddhist activism, corporate climate change awareness and the role of enlightened leadership based on the wisdom of interdependence and the practice of compassionate generosity. Podcast bonus includes an extended discussion of the: The Koch Brothers, pointing out how they are Libertarians who have destroyed the Republican party—i,e, not real, good Abe Lincoln Republicans, their use of “Dark Money” in American politics, and a call to action for the creation of a “Bright Money” campaign to sweep away the propaganda-created doubt in the people, and encourage environmental responsibility, to contest the long term “Dark Money” campaign’s subversion of our democracy, by now well documented by Jane Mayer and others. “Landscape of Change” Image by Jill Pelto via PBS.org. To 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. Previews are available on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel + Full Archive Recordings from the 2016 + 2017 Annual Retreat at Menla in the THUS Member Archives.  Tibet House US Member Access starts at $2 a Month. The song ‘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. “Climate Change : Mother Earth in Crisis – Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman & friends please visit: www.menla.us.

A special American Independence Day teaching on the connections between Buddhism and Democracy and a call to action for a Democratic Party Dream Team by Robert A.F. Thurman. American Independence Day : Dream Team 2020 – Podcast Bonus of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo by Ben Rosett on Unsplash. To 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.Previews are available on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel + Full Archive Recordings from the 2016 + 2017 Annual Retreat at Menla in the THUS Member Archives.  Tibet House US Member Access starts at $2 a Month. The song ‘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. “American Independence Day : Dream Team 2020 – Podcast Bonus″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman & friends please visit: www.menla.us.

In this two part podcast, Professor Thurman discusses the Buddha’s advice on love and marriage and the Buddhist perspective on love, generosity and compassionate relationships. Defining love in Sanskrit, Pali and Tibetan, Robert A.F. Thurman leads an in-depth exploration of it’s central role in the Buddha’s teachings, it’s relationship to compassion, empathy, philosophy and the practices of transformation found in Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Podcast concludes with a reading of Walt Whitman’s poem “To a Stranger” by Gary Gach. Buddha’s Advice on Love and Marriage – Ep. 208 of the Bob Thurman Podcast hoto by Ben Rosett on Unsplash

The Buddha & the Yogis all levels intensive series brings together three contemporary Buddhist and yogic masters to actively explore, intellectually and experientially, the profound texts and practices from the yogic technologies associated with Tantric Mahayana Buddhism and Vedantic Hinduism, in the pristine hidden mountain valley of Menla, land of the Medicine Buddha. This extended archive recording opens with a discussion on the Buddhist definition of the mind, Professor Thurman details the philosophical history of the Buddha’s teachings, it’s meditations and yoga practices, detailing how Buddhism’s central tenets of causality, emptiness and compassion relate to modern Quantum and Particle Physics. Includes an introduction to the Buddhist Inner Sciences, the “network of Dakinis” as taught in Buddhism’s esoteric art and Vajrayana practices and guided selflessness and body scan meditations. “Buddha & The Yogis : 2017 – Podcast Bonus RAFT Archive” 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. This archive is apart of the Buddhist Inner Sciences 101 Podcast Series taken from the Bob Thurman & Tibet House US archives which are intended to provide an introduction to the yogic, meditative & theoretical practices of the tradition. These recordings are intended to be general overviews & one should be studying with a qualified teacher before attempting or engaging in the practices. “Buddha & The Yogis : 2017 – Podcast Bonus RAFT Archive” of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded at the Annual All Levels Yoga and Buddhism Retreat “Buddha & the Yogis” with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Robert A.F. Thurman July 16 – 23, 2017 at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and was originally excerpted as “Yoga, Bliss & Mind : Buddhist Inner Sciences – Ep. 205“. 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 song ‘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 two part podcast, Professor Thurman and Dr. Mark Epstein discuss the Buddhist and Western perspective on the value of meditation and how understanding altered states of consciousness like “flow states” can help shift our relationships to our thoughts, habits and the world around us. Opening with an introduction to the Buddhist concept of pure negation when creating philosophical meaning, Robert A.F. Thurman highlights the pitfalls of absolutism, nihilism and mindfulness mediation before exploring Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s theory of “flow states” used in positive psychology and as popularized in fitness and creative communities with Mark Epstein M.D.. Podcast includes: a discussion of the relationship of the Buddha’s discovery of the blissful nature of reality to non-dual experiences of “being in the flow”, how to avoid post-flow state interpretation of inexpressible states of consciousness and place of transitional objects in meditation and in early childhood development as posited by D.W. Winnicott. Podcast concludes with a reading of Wallace Steven’s poem “13 Ways of looking at a Blackbird” by Gary Gach. Flow States : Buddhism and Psychotherapy – Ep. 207 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Photo Created with love by Ryan McGuire via www.gratisography.com. The song ‘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 message celebrating the full moon day of celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the historical Buddha, Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on how Saka Dawa is celebrated by Tibetans across the world. Saka Dawa, named for the star, Vishakha, prominent during the fourth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, is almost the same as the Theravadin observance of Vesak. It is considered the most sacred month for remembering the great achievement of Shakyamuni Buddha in the 6th BCE century (earlier in the Tibetan calendar). H. H. the Dalai Lama and all Tibetan Buddhist monks and laity celebrate this holiday. In this Podcast Robert A.F. Thurman gives an overview of the Buddhist holiday, a detailed accounting of the details of the Buddha’s Enlightenment as revealed by Indian Buddhist Sanskrit literature and Tibet’s yogic tradition. Podcast includes: an introduction to the four major schools of Buddhism found in China, details on the practice of vegetarianism during Buddhist Holidays, the symbolism behind the Buddha’s “Earth Witness” mudra made upon being challenged by Mara the Evil One, just before Siddhartha attained unexcelled enlightenment; and how traditional Chinese people were quite tolerant of diversity in religion and ideology, as “Confucians in office, Taoist for weddings, birth ceremonies, and in retirement, and Buddhist for funerals, meditations, and scientific philosophies.” Includes a teaching on the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and mentions Professor Thurman’s Four Nobler Truths, based on the White Lotus and Great Total Nirvana Sutras. To listen to more recordings from past programs with Robert A.F. Thurman at Tibet House US in New York City + Menla in Phoenicia, New York in the Catskills please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. The song ‘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 episode Robert A.F. Thurman introduces the heart of the Buddha’s teaching through an exploration of the compassionate self-interest and social altruism found in the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path. Opening with a re-telling of the story featured in the “Man of Peace” Graphic Novel about the Dalai Lama’s first encounter with his teacher Khuna Lama who transmitted the oral instructions of the  “Equal Exchange of Self for Other” teachings by Shantideva, Professor Thurman uses these classical texts to reveal the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism’s perspective. Podcast includes a discussion of the Dalai Lama “wise selfish” teachings, a humorous comparison of the nature of blind faith and religion to the Buddha’s discovery and his teachings of engaged realism known as Buddhism and a brief discussion of “What is Buddhism” for those of all backgrounds and experience. Second half of this week’s episode is an introduction to the medicine culture of Tibet and how the Buddhist understanding of healing and self transformation is embodied in the work of Tibet House US and the Dewa Spa at Menla Retreat. Podcast concludes with a reading of Wallace Steven’s poem “Tea” by Gary Gach. Altruism and Compassion : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 206 Photo Created with love by Ryan McGuire via www.gratisography.com. “Altruism and Compassion : Buddhism 101 – Ep. 206 of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition.    

Opening with a discussion on the Buddhist definition of the mind, Professor Thurman details the philosophical history of and essential role of exploring it's nature through the experience of bliss within the Buddha's teachings and in it's meditations and yoga practices. Detailing how Buddhism's central tenets of causality, emptiness and compassion relate to modern Quantum and Particle Physics Robert A.F. Thurman provides those engaging in physical yoga practices and meditation a roadmap for discovering the blissful nature of reality. Podcast includes a introduction to the Buddhist Inner Sciences, the "network of Dakinis" as taught in Buddhism's esoteric art and Vajrayana practices, and concludes with a reading of Wallace Steven's poem "Snowman" by Gary Gach. Yoga, Bliss & Mind : Buddhist Inner Sciences - Ep. 205 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded at the Annual All Levels Yoga and Buddhism Retreat "Buddha & the Yogis" with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Robert A.F. Thurman July 16 - 23, 2017 at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and  is apart of the Buddhist Inner Sciences 101 Podcast Series taken from the Bob Thurman & Tibet House US archives which are intended to provide an introduction to the yogic, meditative & theoretical practices of the tradition. These recordings are intended to be general overviews & one should be studying with a qualified teacher before attempting or engaging in the practices. Gary Gregory Gach is an author, translator, and editor living in San Francisco. A dynamic speaker and teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism his works include the anthology “What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop” and the forthcoming “Pause Breathe Smile – Awakening Mindfulness When Meditation is Not Enough”. Yoga, Bliss & Mind : Buddhist Inner Sciences Photo by Ryan McGuire via www.mcguiremade.com.