Deconstructing Yourself

What can ancient Sanskrit poetry of love and longing teach us about our own deepest spirituality? Join host Michael Taft as he explores this question with professor, author, and teacher Rick Jarow. Further topics include the tantric aspect of poetry, how landscape and nature informs and embodies our spirituality, the role of the word in transcendence, sacred passion for the divine as expressed in the poetics of longing, and much more.Rick Jarow Ph.D. is a author, teacher, and scholar of Indian languages and literature. Recently retired from his position as a Religious Studies professor at Vassar college in New York, Rick leads workshops and retreats worldwide. His books include: In Search of the Sacred, Tales for the Dying, and a new work: The Cloud of Longing: A New Translation and Eco-Aesthetic Study of Kalidasa's Meghaduta. Rick Jarow's websiteHelp to support the Deconstructing Yourself podcast at Patreon.Or give a one-time donation: DonateSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft speaks with Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton about her recent work with the 21 manifestations of the Goddess Tara, some aspects of Green Tara, and especially the role of vision and visualization in Vajrayana, and Buddhism more generally. Beginning with the somewhat negative role of the eyes in early Buddhist practice, moving through the Mahayana sutras talking about "enlightened eyes," and the "Eye of the Buddha," and culminating with the rainbow light practices of Vajrayana and Dzogchen. Topics include: Nagarjuna's vision metaphor of emptiness, the esoteric subtle channel from the heart to the eyes, meditation on kasinas, and much more.Chandra Easton has taught meditation and yoga since 2001. She has had the good fortune to study with many Tibetan and Western Buddhist teachers such as H.H. Dalai Lama, H.H. Karmapa, Lama Tsultrim Allione, B. Alan Wallace,Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, and Jennifer Welwood. She is currently the Assistant Spiritual Director & Head Teacher at the Tara Mandala Retreat Center. You can learn more about Chandra's work at:http://www.chandraeaston.com/andhttps://www.taramandala.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zen teacher Henry Shukman discusses the role of meditation in awakening, the power of Zen koans, and the integration of spirituality and psychology. He shares his personal journey, struggles, and love for self and the world. The podcast explores Mountain Cloud Zen Center, meditation apps, challenges in Zen practice, and upcoming mindfulness training ventures.

Ken McLeod, a seasoned teacher and author in Tibetan Buddhism, shares his deep insights into Vajrayana as a living practice rather than merely a pursuit of enlightenment. He discusses the significance of lam khyer, or 'living practice,' and critiques transactional approaches to Buddhism. McLeod highlights the power of prayer, distinguishing between petitionary and aspirational types, while emphasizing the need for nurturing spirituality in secret. He also explores modern challenges in integrating traditional practices within Western culture and the importance of intimate relationships with personal deities or yidams.

Host Michael Taft talks with meditation teacher and author Tina Rasmussen about ways to understand nondual awareness and the progress of nondual meditation, including her own unique comparison between the Formless Realms of early Buddhist meditation and the Boundless Dimensions taught by Hameed Ali (aka Almaas) of the Diamond Approach.Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., began meditating at age 13, and has practiced in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for over 30 years. In 2003, she completed a year-long solo retreat, was later ordained as a Buddhist nun and became the first Western woman authorized to teach by renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tina has been studied by the Yale Neuroscience Lab, and is the co-author of Practicing the Jhanas, as well as several books on human potential.Tina Rasumussen’s website: luminousmindsangha.comContribute to Michael’s Patreon or directly to help fund the creation of more of these podcasts.Show Notes00:44 - Intro03:30 - Thecore four practices of Buddhism that help us with the current crisis: shamatha,vipassana, heart, and self-transcending practices06:19 - HowTina teaches shamatha (the Theravada way: anapanasati and brahmaviharas)09:08 - The difference between anapanasati and pranayama11:45 - The similarities and differences between the Theravadan and Tibetan practices16:18 - How Tina teaches a hybrid set of Theravadan and Tibetan practices on retreat18:44 - Shamatha is needed for stability20:44 - Thedifferent flavors of nonduality (unity/emptiness)24:37 - The Buddhist map of the realms of existence (form/material realm:physical/brahmaviharas; formless/immaterial realms: 1) boundless space; 2) boundless consciousness; 3) no-thingness/void; 4) neither perception nor non-perception; 5) the Deathless/Absolute/Nameless mystery)28:53 - How ‘awareness’ is more fundamental than ‘consciousness’30:55 - Comparison of the formless realms in Buddhism and in the Diamond Approach(Ridhwan); how different spiritual traditions focus on different formless realms35:35 – Differing views in Theravada and Vajrayana 37:51 - Integrating boundless love and shamatha practices in Tina’s teachings43:00 - The non-personal practices of the Eastern traditions and the personal practices ofthe Western traditions44:08 - The synergy between spiritual and psychological technologies; the ‘inquiry’ practice46:27 - Tina’s birth trauma and the importance of trauma work53:10 - The inquiry way of working with aversion55:46 - Suffering is optional58:00 - OutroSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shinzen Young, an influential American mindfulness teacher and neuroscience consultant, explores the intersection of meditation and communication. He shares insights on adapting Unified Mindfulness for diverse cultural contexts, like China, especially during the pandemic. The discussion dives into the transformative impact of online mindfulness retreats and how they can enhance communication skills. Shinzen also imagines a future where technology, including AI, fosters deeper human connections and improves cognitive abilities, leading to more meaningful dialogue.

Host Michael Taft talks about the phenomenon of spiritual bypassing, what it is, what it means for our practice, and whether it is as big of an issue as many seem to think, as well as the importance of having a meditation buddy, and the ageless tradition of the “soul friend.” Michael Taft’s websiteContribute to Michael’s Patreon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft speaks with spiritual teacher and author Thomas Hübl about trauma and healing, aspects of collective and cultural trauma, Jungian psychology, meditation, spirituality, and much more.Thomas Hübl is a contemporary mystic, international spiritual teacher, and author whose work seeks to integrate the core insights of the great wisdom traditions with the discoveries of modern science. Thomas’ teachings combine somatic awareness, advanced meditative practices, and analysis of multigenerational and collective trauma with transformational processes that address trauma and shadow issues. Since 2004 Thomas has been leading workshops, multi-year training programs, events and festivals, and is the author of the book Healing Collective Trauma.Thomas Hübl's Website You can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Michael Taft speaks with meditation teacher and shamanic practitioner Spring Washam about the "dharma of Harriet Tubman," the inner vs. the outer journey of finding liberation, how the "meditation bubble" can actually block spiritual growth, bringing the wisdom of meditation to activism, the role of plant medicines in healing ourselves and our world, and much more.Spring Washam is a well-known meditation teacher, author, and visionary leader based in California and Peru. She is the author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage, and Wisdom in Any Moment. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based healing practices to diverse communities. She is one of the founders and core teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, located in downtown Oakland, CA.  She received extensive training from Jack Kornfield, is a member of the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in northern California, and has practiced and studied Buddhist philosophy in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism for the last 20 years. In addition to being a teacher, she is also a shamanic practitioner and has studied indigenous healing practices for over a decade. She is the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys, an organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom. Her writing and teachings have appeared in many online journals and publications such as Lions Roar, Tricycle, and Belief.net. She has been a guest on many popular podcasts and radio shows. She currently travels and teaches meditation retreats, workshops and classes worldwide.Spring Washam's websiteYou can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Science journalist and bestselling author David McRaney talks about how people change their minds, form their view of reality, conspiracy theory, QAnon, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of connection and respect in communication.