Thomas Van Breda is a scholar of religion specialising in the western esoteric tradition. He joins us to discuss notorious occultist Aleister Crowley and his contribution to the evolution of modern yoga. In 1901, Crowley travelled to Sri Lanka and studied what seems to be a mixture of Ashtanga and Shaivite Yoga. When he returned to the UK he started teaching. Is it possible that he was one of the first western yoga teachers ever? Or did his bombastic and strange personality only obscure the teachings? Show Notes We discuss the occult and rejected knowledge systems Crowley’s problematic personality How Crowley saw enlightenment and how he claimed to have attained it We respond to Mark Singleton’s 2010 book “Yoga Body: the Origins of Modern Posture Practice” that claims Crowley was a “black magician” who obscured the message of yoga How Crowley taught asana before Krishnamacharya, the old school way Crowley’s experiments and achieving dyana and samadhi states Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Show Notes Maggi’s artworks especially sacred symbols and geometry What kingons and vedic concepts of gunas have in common Pattabhi Jois and Bikram back in the day A non dual experience slipping into a river How the warrior poses are the same as walking 70s Hairstyles and the subtle body How “The body accepts whatever practice you choose” Different catagories of healing The wisdom of working with the moon Pranic and apanic breathing and moon days Ashtanga and aging http://magginimmo.com/ Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

While his words are often like poetry and his photos stun you with their raw aesthetics, it is that space beyond the form and beyond the mind that Ty invites us to discover and out which his reflections are generously springing from. He is the wizard of most intricate thought castles, the faqir juggling heavy philosophical constructs with lightness and innocence of a child, while his fascination for exploring the ways of embodiment of the creative principle that animates all life is like a magnet that draws you deeper into inquiry in your own practice. We are absolutely delighted to have Ty Landrum on our show. Show notes First spiritual experiences, communion with the nature and longing for the sense of connection Intellectual intoxication, vinyasas of thought and postures of mind Somatic exploration of breath waves Terror of letting go of the sense of the self and the brilliance of Ashtanga Vinyasa Clinging to a particular idea of what your practice should be Asana as embodying the form that supports the liberated movement of creative energy Fatherhood and daily practice Mixing traditions, following your heart, exploring synchronicities Year-long online immersion course "Into the Depth" Visit Yoga Workshop Online to find out about online classes, workshops and immersions offered by Ty Landrum. Also, check his website https://tylandrum.com/ to discover more about his teaching schedule, as well as some beautiful writing. Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Mumbai-based yoga practitioner and teacher, Deepa Rao shares her experience on Yoga and Meditation with us. Show notes Deepa's first spiritual recollections Amulets, yantras and experience growing up in a Brahmin familiy Goenka's Vipassana, practice and studies, aleviation of the fear of darkness Equanimity and challenges of daily life The story behind Trivikramasana How knowledge of mythology can help unravel deeper layers in your asana practice Using mantras, themes and affirmations in your practice On Ayurveda and diet, prana and apana vayu Yoga in modern day India Practicing with an American yoga teacher in India If you want to get in touch with Deepa - visit her Instagram account https://instagram.com/therowdee Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati is the Founder and Spiritual Director of Kashi Atlanta, a nonprofit urban yoga ashram that has served Atlanta for 21 years. She is an urban yoga monk, working to inspire people to live deeply, loving everyone along the way. Swami has studied yoga, pranayama (yogic breath), meditation, and healing in-depth since 1985. She took her monastic vows in the Saraswati lineage of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati and was given the title Yoga Acharya (master teacher of yoga) in 2007. She taught at the 2004 Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona, Spain, and was Grand Marshal of the 2015 Atlanta Pride Parade in recognition of decades of work with the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. In our chat, we get deep on topics such as pranayama, kundalini and karma yoga. Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Sebene Selassie is an African American Buddhist teacher. She has been studying Buddhism for 30 years and teaching for 10. She has worked extensively for not-for-profit organisations everywhere from the Tenderloin in San Francisco to refugee camps in Guinea, West Africa. This year, she published her first book via HarperOne titled You Belong: A Call for Connection.  In this enriching conversation we tackle the kind of tough subjects that we all think about but need to talk about more. Why have women been sidelined in Buddhist lineages? How can the Dharma respond to racial strife and injustice? And how we can heal cultures of harm wherever we find ourselves.  Show Notes First experiences with bhakti yoga History of women in Buddhism  Sebene's journey through Buddhist schools Kuan Yin and devotional practice The question of cultural appropriation  How studying history can aid liberation The complex problem of unconscious bias What was left out when Buddhism was exported   Good ol’ psychedelics  Ancestral healing  How we might heal racism in dharma communities It’s not about separation  Guilt vs responsibility “The Dharma answers its context”  Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Robert Moses has 50 years’ experience as a teacher of yoga and advaita vedanta. Robert served in the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers for 22 years. He is a founder and co-publisher of Namarupa – Categories of Indian thoughts, a magazine about the philosophies and arts of India. He is leading annual pilgrimages to sacred places of India and offering classes on Pranayama, Bandhas, Kriyas, Mudras as well as exploration of Hatha Yoga Pradipika online. Show notes First glimpses beyond the physical plain of existence Intense yoga practice, meditation and fasting Hitchhiking through Europe “Cry, The Beloved Country” – growing up in South Africa The “Continuum concept” (Jean Liedloff) “You can’t just have bad people in the world raising kids” (Norman Allan) Bhakti practice, subtle forms of Tridoshas – Tejas, Ojas and Prana Brahmacharya in the context of househoder path Looking behind the bandhas Uddara – the forgotten bandha Addendum: Where to fit a mudra practice? Discover Namarupa Magazine, classes and courses by Robert Moses. Discover Namarupa Magazine, classes and courses by Robert Moses. https://namarupa.org/ Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Dr. Erik Davis is an American writer, scholar, journalist and public speaker whose writings have ranged from rock criticism to cultural analysis to creative explorations of mysticism. Few people are able to talk about the spirituality with  a precision and accuracy born of a commitment to always remain open to the Mystery.  Erik shares his own path, describing how he maintains scientific viewpoint while also embracing the weird and unknown aspects in all religions, especially Christianity and Buddhism. We talk in detail about "the psychonaut"scientifically minded explorers who use psychedelics in an attempt to map the fringes and consciousness - places where there might still be dragons. Show Notes Spiritual and uncanny experiences occurred in Erik’s childhood bedroom Fear and fascination  How Erik spans science and spirituality Erik’s deep experience with Christian art “The weirdest year of your life” Erik on prayer and grace “America can’t escape the shadow of puritanism” Psychonauts vs religious seekers  Psychosis as an occupational hazard Practical Buddhist ethics The role of a spiritual teacher When Erik met Ram Dass Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Leigh has been practicing meditation since 1985. He is the senior American student of the late Ven. Ayya Khema. He began teaching retreats in Europe and North America in 1997, and is the author of the book "Right Concentration - A Practical Guide to the Jhanas". This is first part of our in-depth exploration of different aspects of Buddhist teachings that Leigh generously took time and energy for. Episode 2 Show Notes Studying Buddhist suttas and commentaries, Visuddhimagga and Abhidhamma Stream entry, interpretation, importance and application of buddhist models Pulling out mile markers Long-term practice, improvement and reduction of dukha and unshakable peace On Daniel M. Ingram's sub-jhanas, excitement about and usefullness of experience Contemplation on 32 body types Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Leigh has been practicing meditation since 1985. He is the senior American student of the late Ven. Ayya Khema. He began teaching retreats in Europe and North America in 1997, and is the author of the book "Right Concentration - A Practical Guide to the Jhanas". This is first part of our in-depth exploration of different aspects of Buddhist teachings that Leigh generously took time and energy for. Episode 1 Show notes The falling of the veil, spiritual hedonism and world trip The story of Theravada nun Ayya Khema Ways to look at Pratītyasamutpāda - dependent origination Five skandhas, Eckart Tolle and taking a nap Emptiness or Śūnyatā, inherent existence and the deathless Immortality project Leighs process of studying the Suttas What are Jhanas or the stages of indestructible mind Morality, concentration, wisdom Jhanas as a spectrum of concentration states As you go deeper the space of observer gets smaller Don't get fooled by your concepts Leigh's and Nathan's take on the spiritual world of today How Buddhism translates into Western culture Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal