Archive recording from the Geo Ex and Tibet House US Membership Community Trip Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon led by Robert A.F. Thurman and Brent Olson in 2014. Robert A.F. Thurman in this archive discusses how pilgrimage combined with study of Buddhist Philosophy can help anyone encounter the bliss at the core of his mind transformation practices and leads a guided meditation. Using the colorful depictions of the Padmasambhava, Pema Lingpa and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel Professor Thurman explains the role of meditation deities in Tibetan Buddhism, the different understandings of Iconography and of Idolatry that Western and Eastern viewers hold. Includes a short history of Bhutan, it’s relationship to it’s neighbor Tibet, a teaching on the difference between being a pilgrim and being a tourist, and how the use of Inner and Outer pilgrimages can help one understand the interconnected nature of reality. Recording includes basic instructions on using the breath to develop one pointed concentration and a guided Jewel Tree Meditation for those of all traditions. Land of the Thunder Dragon – Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives Photo of Karma Ura’s paintings at Dochu La Temple by Brent Olson. This episode was recorded in Bhutan as part of the Geographic Expedition called “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon” led by Professor Thurman in April, 2014.   “Land of the Thunder Dragon – Podcast Bonus” of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the “Buddhist Pilgrimage Series” using field recordings of Robert AF Thurman and friends from his global docent tours benefiting the work of Tibet House US. 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. 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. To learn about upcoming Tibet House US trips Robert Thurman + GeoEx please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

Robert A.F. Thurman in this two part podcast discusses how pilgrimage combined with study of Buddhist Philosophy can help anyone encounter the bliss at the core of his mind transformation practices and leads a guided meditation. Using the colorful depictions of the Padmasambhava, Pema Lingpa and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel Professor Thurman explains the role of meditation deities in Tibetan Buddhism, the different understandings of Iconography and of Idolatry that Western and Eastern viewers hold. Podcast includes a short history of Bhutan, it’s relationship to it’s neighbor Tibet, a teaching on the difference between being a pilgrim and being a tourist, and how the use of Inner and Outer pilgrimages can help one understand the interconnected nature of reality. In the second half of this week’s episode Robert Thurman gives basic instructions on using the breath to develop one pointed concentration and leads a guided Jewel Tree Meditation for those of all traditions. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Thich Nhat Hanh by Gary Gach. . Photo by Juliana Kozoski on Unsplash This episode was recorded in Bhutan as part of the Geographic Expedition called “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon” led by Professor Thurman in April, 2014.   “Pilgrimage : Encountering the Buddha’s Bliss – Ep. 185 of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the “Buddhist Pilgrimage Series” using field recordings of Robert AF Thurman and friends from his global docent tours benefiting the work of Tibet House US. 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. 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”. 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. To learn about upcoming Tibet House US trips Robert Thurman + GeoEx please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

Archive recording from the Inaugural reading of Flowers of a Moment by Ko Un, translated by Young Moo Kim, Brother Anthony of Taizé, by Gary Gach, at Moe’s Books, Berkeley, California, 2006 Korean poet, writer, and activist Ko Un was born in Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do. He was drawn to poetry after discovering the early work of Han Ha-Un, a nomadic Korean poet with leprosy. After witnessing the devastation of the Korean War, Ko entered a monastery and became a Buddhist monk. He left the Buddhist community in 1962. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Ko was detained, tortured, and imprisoned repeatedly for his opposition to the military regime. Ko has twice won the South Korean Literature Prize and received the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry’s Lifetime Recognition Award. He was elected chairman of the Association of Writers for National Literature and was chosen president of the Compilation Committee of the Grand Inter-Korean Dictionary. He has taught at Seoul National University, Kyonggi University, Harvard University, and the University of California at Berkeley. Ko lives in South Korea. Flowers of a Moment with Gary Gach – Podcast Bonus RAFT Archives Photo by Daniel Kim on Unsplash This week’s podcast extra of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Excerpts from this recording originally appeared as apart of “Vimalakīrti’s Verses on Cool Heroes and Heroism” Episode #184 of the Bob Thurman Podcast. To listen to the original recording please visit: www.archive.org. 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. 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 “

Using the Goddess Chapter of the “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti’” and his classic “Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Real Happiness” Robert A.F. Thurman in this two part podcast illuminates his theory of cool heroism and the cool heroes that live the revolutionary wisdom of Buddhism daily. Professor Thurman opens the first half of the podcast with a discussion on: the origins and the development of the theory, the history of cool heroism in Buddhism, and how cool heroes are embodied by the women who are the heart of the hearth of every home since time immemorial. Podcast includes an overview of the Vimalakīrti Sutra, it’s translation history, and the non-dual teachings contained in it’s fantastical setting and gender bending dialog between Śhāriputra and the Wisdom Goddess. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Korean poet, writer, and activist Ko Un by Gary Gach. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York. Free Online Book + Suggested Reading:  “The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti” Translated by Robert A.F. Thurman available via www.84000.co. Vimalakīrti’s Verses on Cool Heroes and Heroism – Ep. 184 was recorded at the home of Robert and Nena Thurman in Woodstock, New York, September, 2018. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF 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. Poetry Excerpted from the Inaugural reading of Flowers of a Moment by Ko Un, translated by Young Moo Kim, Brother Anthony of Taizé, & Gary Gach, at Moe’s Books, Berkeley, California, 2006 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 antholog

In this archive recording of the on-going Force For Good Class Series Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Nida Chenagtsang give an introduction to Buddhist Tantra and the meditation practices used to accelerate spiritual evolution through the development of one’s magic body. Using Nargajuna‘s verses on clear light, Bodhisattvas, the development of the rainbow body and bliss Professor Thurman gives an introduction to the Unexcelled Yoga Tantra perfection stage teaching of the Sarma (later translation) schools, in tribute to Dr. Nida’s enlightened non-sectarian way of imparting teachings and blessings. Dr. Nida teaches the pith quintessence of the Nyingma Ati Yoga Great Perfection (Dzogchen) teaching transmitted from the famous 12th century Enlightened healer, physician, and accomplished Ngagpa yogi and scholar, Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, elucidating key points of his book on that subject, “Ati Yoga: Mirror of Light“. To learn about upcoming programs with Nida Chenagtsang + Robert A.F. Thurman at Menla in Phoencia, New York please visit: www.menla.us. Force For Good : Ati Yoga – Podcast Bonus was recorded at the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Sources Force for Good Class Series session “Ati Yoga: According to Yuthok Yonten Gonpo” with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Robert A.F. Thurman, Tibet House US, New York City, Winter 2016. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind & Life Institute science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lam

Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Nida Chenagtsang in this two part podcast give an introduction to Buddhist Tantra and the meditation practices used to accelerate spiritual evolution through the development of one’s magic body. Using Nargajuna‘s verses on clear light, Bodhisattvas, the development of the rainbow body and bliss Professor Thurman gives an introduction to the Unexcelled Yoga Tantra perfection stage teaching of the Sarma (later translation) schools, in tribute to Dr. Nida’s enlightened non-sectarian way of imparting teachings and blessings. Second half of the episode Dr. Nida teaches the pith quintessence of the Nyingma Atiyoga Great Perfection (Dzogchen) teaching transmitted from the famous 12th century Enlightened healer, physician, and accomplished Ngagpa yogi and scholar, Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, elucidating key points of his book on that subject, “Ati Yoga: Mirror of Light“. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Korean poet, writer, and activist Ko Un by Gary Gach. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and Wisdom Publications. This podcast 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. Buddhist Inner Sciences: Revealing Your Magic Body – Ep. 183 was recorded at the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Sources Class Introduction of the Force for Good Series at Tibet House US Spring 2018. This on-going series was inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘A Force For Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World‘. 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”.

Archive recording from the introductory class “How To Build a Buddhaverse + Buddhist Non-Dual Physics” from the Force For Good on-going class series held annually at Tibet House US in New York City and online through live-stream broadcast. Professor Thurman uses his translation of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti” to introduce the heroes of enlightenment (Bodhisatvas), the perfected worlds (Buddhaverses) they create through powerful arts and to the hidden meanings of the Heart Sutra. Presenting the short text as an analogy of the Mahayana sutras Robert A.F. Thurman elucidates the practical instructions given to the Vimalakirti’s visitors during the fantastical events of their visit to his home related in the sutra. Containing elements from the full range of teachings of the Buddha, Professor Thurman guides a live translation of this beloved text and relates it’s presentation of infinite relativity to “The Heart Sutra”, The Four Noble Truths and to the teachings of Tsongkhapa. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and Wisdom Publications. Free Online Book + Suggested Reading:  “The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti” Translated by Robert A.F. Thurman available via www.84000.co. Force For Good: Vimalakīrti’s Verses On Buddhaverses + Bodhisatvas – Ep. 182 was recorded at the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Sources Class Introduction “How to Build a Buddhaverse and Buddhist Non-Dual Physics” of the Force for Good Series at Tibet House US February 2018. This recording is also available as a Tibet House US Member Video, to enjoy full access to 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’ + ‘Trance Tibet’ 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. Force For Good: Vimalakīrti’s Verses On Buddhaverses + Bodhisatvas – Ep. 182 Bob Thurman Podcast Photo of

Beginning this week’s two part podcast recounting Geshe Wangyal reaction to his translation of “The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti” Professor Thurman uses the text to introduce the heroes of enlightenment (Bodhisatvas), the perfected worlds (Buddhaverses) they create through powerful arts and to the hidden meanings of the Heart Sutra. Presenting the short text as an analogy of the Mahayana sutras Robert A.F. Thurman elucidates the practical instructions given to the Vimalakirti’s visitors during the fantastical events of their visit to his home related in the sutra. Containing elements from the full range of teachings of the Buddha, Professor Thurman guides a live translation of this beloved text and relates it’s presentation of infinite relativity to “The Heart Sutra”, The Four Noble Truths and to the teachings of Tsongkhapa. Podcast concludes with a reading of the poetry of Al Young by Gary Gach. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and Wisdom Publications. Free Online Book + Suggested Reading:  “The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti” Translated by Robert A.F. Thurman available via www.84000.co. Force For Good: Vimalakīrti’s Verses On Buddhaverses + Bodhisatvas – Ep. 182 was recorded at the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Sources Class Introduction of the Force for Good Series at Tibet House US February 2018. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF 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. 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”. Al Young was born May 31, 1939 at

Recorded at the inaugural Shaman and Siddhas retreat held 2015 at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa Robert A.F. Thurman is joined by Isa Gucciardi and Dr Nida Chenagtsang for a discussion on the intersection of Buddhism and Shamanism. Includes a discussion of the history of Tsongkhapa, the Ganden (Joyous) Community he founded, an introduction to the Buddhist conception of emptiness, it’s relationship to selflessness, meditation and the ‘royal reason of relativity‘ using stories from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Old Testament and the past lives of the Dalai Lama and the Buddha. Podcast includes a guided meditation on the Four Keys of Selflessness, This retreat on the cusp of the winter solstice, a time of natural inward self-reflection, focuses on the traditions of the “psychonauts,” explorers of the subtle realms of dream, death, and all “between” states. Such people are known as “shamans” in indigenous traditions and as “siddhas” or “adepts” in Buddhist and Hindu Tantric traditions. Isa Gucciardi joins Robert Thurman in exploring the deep and vast dimensions of these traditions, focusing on our planetary welcoming of various forms that consciousness takes in this time of global crisis, as she has done from time immemorial. Shamans and siddha adepts provide us with resources from long-developed, time-tested positive sciences and arts that help us celebrate the blessings of reality and live meaningfully in the midst of the ups and downs of our daily lives ever more realistically and happily. In this retreat, we will review the historic encounters between these two spiritual traditions from world indigenous and Indic regions and learn how they have informed one another from time immemorial. While steeped in philosophy and psychology, this retreat is also highly experiential in nature. We will explore methods of going inward drawn from both traditions including the Shamanic Journey and Indo-Tibetan Deity Meditation. The Shamanic Journey is an ancient and time-tested method that shamans around the world have used to develop a deep relationship with the powers of the Earth and Cosmos. Deity Meditation is a form of meditation that brings the meditator into an intimate understanding of the fields of wisdom, sensitivity, and power held by the deities of the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. We will explore the role of ritual and ceremony in both contexts and learn what role ritual and ceremony provide in bringing forward the realizations, sensitivities, and powers that are the fruits of these deep forms of inner exploration. From Shamans and Siddhas 2015 Retreat Description This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the 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 AF 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’ + ‘Trance Tibet’ 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. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Robert A.F. Thurman, Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. and Dr Nida Chenagtsang please visit: www.menla.us.

In this two part podcast Professor Thurman discusses the history of Tsongkhapa, the Ganden (Joyous) Community he founded and leads a guided meditation on the Four Keys of Selflessness. Opening the podcast with a discussion of Eckhart Tolle’s personal discovery of relativity described in his best selling book “The Power of Now“, Robert A.F. Thurman explains how it relates to the teachings of Tsongkhapa and the Buddha’s Middle Way. Podcast includes an introduction to the Buddhist conception of emptiness, it’s relationship to selflessness, meditation and the ‘royal reason of relativity‘ using stories from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Old Testament and the past lives of the Dalai Lama and the Buddha. Podcast concludes with a reading of Three Dharma Poems by Feminist Beat Poet Diane di Prima by Gary Gach. This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York and Wisdom Publications. Suggested Reading:  “The Life and Teachings of Tsongkhapa” Edited by Robert A.F. Thurman published by Wisdom Publication, 2018. Tsongkhapa’s Kindness + Four Keys of Selflessness – Ep. 181 was recorded during the “Shamans and Siddhas Retreat” + with Isa Gucciardi Ph.D., Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Robert A.F. Thurman & Mark Epstein, M.D. held in Phoenicia, New York October 2015. Listen to more archive recordings from from past Robert AF 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. 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”. To learn more about the writings and work Of Gary Gach please visit: www.garygach.com The song ‘Dancing Ling’ + ‘Trance Tibet’ 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. To learn more about upcoming programs in the heart of the Catskills with Bob Thurman, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang & Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. please visit: www.menla.us.