Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this episode Robert Thurman is joined by fellow Tibetan language translator, author, and inner-science adventurer, Dr. David Kittay for a conversation on bliss, everyday ethics, contemporary Buddhism, the Eightfold Path, and the Four Noble Truths. Opening with an introduction of Professor Kittay and his translation of The Vajra Rosary Tantra, Dr. Thurman uses his Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts book as a roadmap for an exploration of their work together presenting and preserving Tibetan Culture through their teachings at Tibet House US, Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, Columbia University and during time spent teaching general audiences across New York City and the world. Dr. David Komodo Kittay teaches philosophy, religion, and technology at Columbia, where his courses are called life changing, translates exoteric and esoteric Buddhist texts, serves as a Tibet House US Board member, and founded The Harlem Clemente Course for the Humanities at the Drew Hamilton Houses on 143rd St. His latest publication is The Vajra Rosary Tantra, available from Wisdom Publications. A Tibet House US | Menla Conversation with David Kittay – Ep. 281 of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded at the Tibet House US Menla Online hybrid talk “Wisdom Is Bliss” with Robert Thurman and David Kittay, December 2021 in New York City. To watch the full video version and to learn about upcoming events with Dr. David Kittay, please visit: www.thus.org. Image by Amanda Sage. All Rights Reserved via www.amandasagecollection.com.

Sharing insights from his study of “The Flower Ornament Sutra” and his exploration of the Bhakti devotion tradition with Krishna Das, Robert Thurman gives a teaching on the value of generous, selfless intention when developing spiritual understanding and compassionate abilities using the body, breath, and mind through regular yoga study and practice. Opening with the Dalai Lama’s four aims in life and an introduction to the Vajra Yoga teacher training, this episode includes: an everyday, middle way approach to stress and anger for those of any background, a short history of the Nalanda Tradition, and an in-depth exploration of the connections between Shantideva’s “Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life” and the Bhagavad Gita. Podcast also includes: a discussion of the evolution of the terminology and understanding of karma, moksha and of the self-identifiers of those in Buddhist communities and students of the yogic inner sciences of transformation, an overview of Buddhist Tantra and its relationship to Hinduism, Vedanta, and Shamanism, and a teaching on the non-dual discovery of the blissful nature of reality by Buddha and enlightened beings across all time and traditions. The Vajra Yoga series of trainings is an intensive online and in-person program that 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, and the Vimalakirti and Flower Ornament Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Mañjushrī-nāma-saṁgītī, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and various works by Nāgārjuna, Paadmasambhava, Naropa, Yutok Yonten Gonpo, Jey Tsong Khapa and the Dalai Lama. To learn more about this on-going offering, please visit: www.thusmenla.org. Bridging Body, Mind & Breath with Yoga Wisdom – Ep. 280 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image via www.himalayanart.org.

Beginning this episode with a reading from “The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between” Professor Thurman uses his translation as a guide to the rich spiritual and emotional tools found in the end-of-life traditions of Asia and in the Vajrayana sciences and practices of India and Tibet. Podcast includes: an invocation of and teaching on the greatly compassionate beings found Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and globally in the indigenous traditions of the Shamans, an introduction to the subtle body system of the yogic sciences for transmuting the three poisonous addictions, an overview of the eight dissolution states of death and their relationship to birth and life, sleep and dream yogas, and a discussion of the inter-relationship of particle physics, quantum entanglement, emptiness, and the psycho-physical experiences of bliss. Episode concludes with an in-depth explanation of the channels, winds and drops of the subtle body and mind as taught in esoteric Buddhism, as in the mis-titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Hey Noble Ones: Jesus, Avalokiteshvara and All Buddhas – Ep. 279 of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded during the on-going Tibet House US | Menla Online “Bardo” teachings with Andrew Holecek, available via www.teachable.com. To learn more about Robert A.F. Thurman’s classic retreat audio recordings, please visit www.soundstrue.com or new audio book version of “Liberation Through Understanding in the Between: Tibetan Book of the Dead” by Penguin Audio, please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

Using the sixth and eighth chapters of Shantideva’s “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” as a guide Professor Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on the development of compassion and explores the interrelated history of Buddhism, Hinduism and of the Bhakti yogic wisdom traditions of India and the Himalayas. Recorded during the “Devoted to Wisdom” in-person and online gathering with Krishna Das this episode opens with a question from Nina Rao about Thurman and the Padma Shri civilian award of the Republic of India given to him by the President of India for his lifelong exploration of the teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism and Shantideva. Podcast includes an extended guided meditation on the practice of loving-kindness and the equal exchange of self and other. Illustration from “Shantideva: How to Wake Up A Hero” by Dominique Townsend & Tenzin Norbu by Wisdom Publications. All rights reserved, Used with Permission. This episode is an excerpt from “Devoted to Wisdom: Celebrating Buddhism and Bhakti Wisdom Online Retreat” with Robert Thurman & Krishna Das. To enjoy the full digital offering, please visit: www.thusmenla.org.

In this episode Robert Thurman shares an inspirational message of gratitude, compassion and hope for listeners of all faiths, backgrounds, and situations. Opening with an introduction to the Bodhisattva’s Path, Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on generosity using his book “Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life”, detailing its connection to political and personal activism, ethics, ecology, and creative expression. Podcast includes: A discussion of nature of dictators, fascism and materialism, a recommendation of the work of Heather Cox Richardson, and an invitation to discover the blissful, interconnected and interdependent nature of reality through everyday acts of kindnesses.

Opening with a recommendation of “Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times” by Philip Goldberg, Robert Thurman in this episode sits down with its author for a far ranging discussion on Western Spirituality, Meditation, climate change, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Tibet’s Fourteenth Dalai Lama. In this episode Robert Thurman and Philip Goldberg share reflections on: the San Francisco Renaissance, the effect of the counter culture of the 1950s on modern spirituality and stories from their time in India, and lessons from studying Buddhist and Transcendental meditation. Podcast Includes a discussion of the 75th publication anniversary of Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi“, a short history of The Esalen Institute and the value of personal study and reading to any spiritual tradition or path of transformation. Episode concludes with an extended dialogue on the connections between Buddhism, Vedanta, and writings of the Transcendentalist and Beat Poets, and the Dalai Lama’s Four Aims in Life. Philip Goldberg is the an author, public speaker and workshop leader; a spiritual counselor, meditation teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister. A Los Angeles resident, he co-hosts the Spirit Matters podcast, leads American Veda Tours, conducts online courses and workshops, and blogs regularly on Elephant Journal and Spirituality & Health. To learn more, please visit: www.philipgoldberg.com.

In this heart centered conversation spanning from the remote Arctic communities of Norway to the compassionate wisdom contained in everyone, Robert Thurman is joined by author and explorer of inner and outer landscapes, Laura Galloway, to discuss the creative inspiration of interdependence found in nature, our world and in every day relationships. Opening with a recommendation of Laura’s book “Dálvi: Six Years in the Arctic Tundra“, Robert Thurman leads a dialog exploring the value of contemplation, study, writing, and why supporting the remaining nomadic cultures of Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, and Scandinavian is vital to planetary survival in the face of the climate crisis. Drawing inspiration from their time studying languages, time spent communing with nature through hiking, wilderness exploration and animal care giving, Bob and Laura in this podcast explore the rich traditions of the Sámi, The First Peoples of Canada, and the indigenous cultures of Tibet and the Americas. To learn more about “Dálvi: Six Years in the Arctic Tundra“, and the work of Laura Galloway, please visit: www.authorlauragalloway.com.

Opening the imaginative gateways using the miss-titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead” as his guide, Robert Thurman in this episode gives a teaching on the Buddhist perspective on the origins of the universe, emptiness, and selflessness. Using stories from his time teaching at Columbia & Amherst Universities, and from his time studying with Geshe Wangyal, Tara Tulku, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Bob Thurman discusses the value of developing critical wisdom, intuition and compassion and supportive behavior during the death process and in our daily lives. Starting with defining what a Buddha is from a Non-Buddhist perspective, podcast includes a guided meditation on emptiness and an in-depth examination of causality. “Chicken and the Egg: Bardos, Buddhas and Buddhist Cosmology”  – Ep. 273 of the Bob Thurman podcast was recorded during the on-going Tibet House US | Menla Online “Bardo” teachings with Andrew Holecek, available via www.teachable.com. To learn more about Robert A.F. Thurman’s classic retreat audio recordings, please visit www.soundstrue.com or new audio book version of “Liberation Through Understanding in the Between: Tibetan Book of the Dead” by Penguin Audio, please visit: www.bobthurman.com. Chicken and the Egg: Bardos, Buddhas and Buddhist Cosmology Photo via www.gratisography.com.

In this episode Robert Thurman invites all sensitive beings to explore the Buddha’s discovery of the interrelated blissful nature of reality through a close line reading of The “Dharmacakrapravartana Sutra” or First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Podcast includes an in-depth exploration of the eight-fold fold path and four noble truths, an introduction to Professor Thurman’s book “Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change your Life” and his “Vajra Yoga Practice Through the Buddha’s Three Vehicles: 18 Week Immersion” presented by the Yoga Space and Tibet House US | Menla Online. From the course description: “During the days of Patāñjali, the Buddhist mendicant and lay Sangha Community was omnipresent in his neighborhood, as witnessed by the many practices and concepts shared by the Buddhist Sutras and his own amazing, famous Yoga Sutra. Understanding the essence of the Buddha’s practical teachings and their contributions to the universal values based on the general Indian Inner Science (adhyātmavidyā) enables today’s yogi/nīs to connect to Patāñjali’s wisdom, more easily integrating its vision with the compassionate mindset it automatically unfolds. It also helps contextualise the teachings of the Great Adepts (mahāsiddha) of India, the many non-sectarian master yogi/nīs of Buddhism, Jainism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Fully aligned with His Holiness’s the Dalai Lama commitments in life, this course will show how practical the Buddha’s teachings are, how closely they relate to the wisdom of yoga, and how compassion can be an effective and efficient tool in re-building contemporary societal structures. This Master Class will support the teachings in the Teacher Training course and allow an inclusive exploration of spirit, mind, and body yoga to develop true inner wisdom and help on the path to enlightenment. This is an extensive 18 Week Fall/Winter course, which will include guided meditative talks and transmissions from Tenzin Bob on the inner wisdom found in the Individual, Universal, and Vajra Clearlight Vehicles of Buddhism. It can be also be taken as a stand-alone introduction to the advanced Vajra Yoga course sequence. Course includes 12 seminal talks and guided meditations on each vehicle, accessible on Mondays and Wednesdays, paralleled by concise readings, for students to meditate on and study the yogic insights on each level. Students will meet each Thursday with Tenzin Bob for a Live Zoom Q&A. To learn more about this online offering, please visit: www.bobthurman.com. The Four Noble Truths & Buddha’s Three Vehicles with Robert Thurman photo by Raimond Klavins.

Using “The Vimalakirti Sutra” as a guide Robert Thurman gives an introduction to the historical Buddha’s insight into the blissful nature of reality and to the practical tools of positive transformation found through out his teachings. “In this passionate, incisive, and often hilarious joyride of the mind and spirit, Thurman explores: mindful communities as “enlightenment factories” and how they have sparked “inner” revolutions throughout history; the Buddha’s philosophy of life, liberty, and the pursuit of real happiness; how compassion and nonduality spur social action; the vision of sacred texts for the future of humanity; and much more.” Podcast includes a short history of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism and to the Four Noble Truths. Recorded during the San Francisco Zen Center’s Buddhism at Millennium’s Edge year long series, Millennial Consciousness: Bliss & Buddhaverses – Ep. 271 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is excerpted “Making the World We Want” by Robert A.F. Thurman, Available via www.audible.com.