
Mindrolling with Raghu Markus
Escapades in Mind-Expansion and Cultural Misadventures. Mindrolling Podcast is about coming unstuck and the recent history of awoken awareness. It’s about the intersection of culture, consciousness and realization with Raghu Markus.
Latest episodes

Jun 27, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 600 – How Compassion Works with John Makransky and Paul Condon
In a conversation on cultivating compassion, authors and professors John Maransky and Paul Condon explore how to activate our natural capacity to care for all beings.This time on Mindrolling, John, Paul, and Raghu discuss:Paul and John’s spiritual and personal journeys, and how they came together to write How Compassion WorksSeeing the humanity in all beings and opening our hearts even to our perceived enemiesLooking to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism in order to cultivate compassionDropping into the grounded depth of our awareness so that we can meet that same quality in othersBecoming aware of our reactive minds as the first step on the path of compassionAdding in psychological and scientific perspectives to the practice of compassionOur natural capacity to care and how it takes less effort than hate/conflictEmbodying ideals of kindness and seeing others in a less superficial wayPracticing honest self-reflection to assess and grow our capacity for compassionThe domino effect of love and kindness– how seeing compassion in action inspires othersReunifying with our inner beings and loving nature through mindfulness The symbiotic relationship of love and wisdomRecommendations From This Episode: Learn more about Sustainable Compassion via audio guided meditations, videos, retreats, writings, and more!Order your copy of John and Paul’s newly released book, How Compassion Works, HEREAbout John Makransky, Ph.D.John Makransky, PhD, is Associate Professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, senior advisor for Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Centre of Buddhist Studies in Nepal and developer of the Sustainable Compassion Training model for accessing innate capacities of compassion and awareness. John's academic writings have focused on connections between practices of wisdom, compassion and devotion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, on adapting Buddhist practices for contemporary minds, and on interfaith learning. In 2000, John was ordained as a Lama, a meditation teacher of innate compassion and wisdom, within the Nyingma Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. As a meditation teacher, John is known for guiding participants in their discovery of underlying powers of love and wisdom. Since 2000, John has taught meditations of innate compassion and wisdom, adapted from Tibetan Buddhism, for modern Buddhists, those in other spiritual traditions, and for people in caring roles and professions.“In order to really be the kind of person that can make a beneficial difference in our world, we have to learn how to drop down below the superficial reactive level of consciousness we all tend to live on together into more of the depth of our being, the ground of our experience.” – John MaranskyAbout Paul Condon, Ph.D.Paul Condon is an associate professor of psychology at Southern Oregon University, a visiting lecturer for the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, and a fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. His research examines the ways that psychological science can inform the adaptation of meditation practices in dialogue with contemplative traditions, with an emphasis on compassion training. His research and writing also examine the constructed nature of emotion and concepts, attachment theory, and the impact of meditation on compassion and prosocial behavior. Paul also teaches meditation practices adapted from the Tibetan Nyingma tradition. He has studied and collaborated with John Makransky to develop and teach Sustainable Compassion Training. His practice and teaching have also been informed by study with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Lama Willa Baker, and the Courage of Care Coalition. "Care is a natural capacity and being in a caring relationship with another being is more natural and less effortful than being in an antagonist or conflict-based connection.” – Paul CondonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 20, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 599 – The Divine Flow of Satsang & Surrender with Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati
Inviting us into the heart of India, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati and Raghu dive into divine flow, navigating karmic life, and the value of spiritual community.Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgIn this week’s episode, Sadhvi and Raghu reflect on:Discovering divine presence and deep gratitude in the holy land of IndiaThe Westerner’s experience in India and how acceptance and joy are contagious From PhD student to spiritual seeker: Sadhvi’s awakening to the divine energy in RishikeshBecoming a channel for universal energy and aligning with divine flowThe power of satsang: gathering in truth, stillness, and spiritual presenceBalancing daily life with surrender to divine perfection and karmic unfoldingLearning to work with the mind through spiritual practices like mantra, prayer, and mindfulnessThe importance of spiritual community and real-world human connectionNeuroplasticity and the spiritual path: transforming our thoughts, habits, and inner realitySeva (service to others) as the most potent way to purify the mind Recommendations From This Episode: Check out another Mindrolling with Sadhvi and Raghu from 2021, where they explore Sadhvi’s journey from Hollywood to the HimalayasPick up Sadhvi’s book, Come Home to Yourself, to learn more about navigating this karmic journey while knowing we are divinityAbout Sadhvi Bhagawati SaraswatiSadhvi is a renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker, based in Rishikesh, India. She’s the author of #1 bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Originally from Los Angeles, a graduate of Stanford University, and a PhD in psychology, Sadhviji has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, in the lap of the Himalayas for more than 25 years engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice. Roll on over to Sadhvi’s website to learn more. “The slightest bit of working with the mind, mantra, chanting, japa, kirtan, prayer, anything, it shows us that we actually do have the power to put our mind where we want it to be." – Sadhvi Bhagawati SaraswatiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 13, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 598 – Emotional Intelligence Explained: Stories, Science, and Strategies with Daniel Goleman
Offering practical insights for developing emotional intelligence, Psychologist Daniel Goleman and Raghu unpack skills like mindful self-awareness, self-management, and empathy.Learn more about Emotional Intelligence with Daniel Goleman’s self-paced course.In this episode, Daniel and Raghu reflect on:Daniel's first introduction to the concept of emotional intelligence and its lifelong impact4 core elements of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, emotional management, empathy/social awareness, using empathy to have effective relationships The ability to learn emotional intelligence and improve throughout lifeInvestigating whether artificial intelligence (AI) can feel emotions & empathy or if it merely replicates humans Why reading social cues is essential for emotional effectiveness and healthy interpersonal relationshipsReflecting on the teachings and stories of K.K. Sah as practical examples of emotional intelligence in actionHighlighting the Dalai Lama's role as a global symbol of compassion, empathy, and altruismBringing in mindfulness to change our emotional patterns The importance of developing an inner-awareness of our emotions How self-awareness and emotional intelligence can positively impact a workplaceMaintaining a positive outlook despite life’s numerous challenges Take the opportunity to support Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation and step into another dimension with a one-of-a-kind pair of custom Midnight Gospel sneakers. Hand-crafted by The Shoe Surgeon to replicate the iconic shoes worn by Clancy himself in the groundbreaking animated series by Duncan Trussell and Pendleton Ward.All proceeds benefit the Love Serve Remember Foundation and their work to preserve and continue the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass. CLICK HERE to bid on the shoes and find more exciting one-of-a-kind collector’s items at the LSRF Auction HERE.Recommendations from this Episode:Grab yourself a copy of Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s book, Why We Meditate.Learn how the mind can heal the heart with the book Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman.Consider creating an emotionally intelligent team with this book by Vanessa Urch Druskat.About Daniel Goleman: Daniel is an internationally known psychologist and author. His New York Times bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence, was named one of the 25 “Most Influential Business Management Books” by TIME Magazine. Daniel is also a board member of the Mind & Life Institute, an organization that fosters dialogues and research collaborations among contemplative practitioners and scientists. Daniel has organized a series of intensive conversations between the Dalai Lama and scientists, and further merged Dharma and science, coauthoring Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. Learn more about Daniel’s work at danielgoleman.infoMindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.org“The good news about emotional intelligence, unlike IQ, is that you can learn it. It's learnable at any point in life. You can always improve. Your IQ pretty much stays the same throughout life, emotional intelligence can get better and better, if you care, if you want.” – Daniel GolemanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep. 597 – Breaking the Boundaries of Compassion with Duncan Trussell
From psychedelic breakthroughs to breaking the boundaries of compassion, Duncan Trussell and Raghu Markus offer unfiltered wisdom on the messy magic of waking up.Take the opportunity to support Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation and step into another dimension with a one-of-a-kind pair of custom Midnight Gospel sneakers. Hand-crafted by The Shoe Surgeon to replicate the iconic shoes worn by Clancy himself in the groundbreaking animated series by Duncan Trussell and Pendleton Ward. All proceeds benefit the Love Serve Remember Foundation and their work to preserve and continue the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass. CLICK HERE to bid on the shoes and find more exciting one-of-a-kind collector’s items at the LSRF Auction HERE.This time on Mindrolling, Duncan and Raghu connect over: The Good Friday psychedelic experiment New MDMA research with octopuses and insights into social neuroscienceBrain scans of Tibetan monks practicing loving-kindness (Metta) meditation‘Making the most’ of the neuroplasticity that can occur during a psychedelic experience The most powerful issue we have to deal with: identity Transactional compassion versus offering genuine love and care to all Reversing our own neurosis and breaking through the self-created boundaries of compassionEmbracing spiritual discipline through the daily grind of practiceMoving through what the Buddhists call ‘the original heart of sadness’ Maladaptive behaviors that we develop to mask the pain of humanity Alcohol as the west’s faulty ‘ayahuasca’ and initiation practice Self-compassion and allowing ourselves to be humanToday's episode is sponsored by Psychedelic Science 2025 & Reunion:Join the most important psychedelic gathering of the year......bridging science, spirit & society at Psychedelic Science 2025: THE INTEGRATION, hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Be part of the movement that will shape the next era of mental health, medicine, and consciousness.Featuring speakers like Paul Stamets, United States Representative Tim Ryan, Rick Doblin, founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Richard Schwartz, Pilar Guzman, CEO/Medical Director of the APA Marketa M. Wills, Raghu Markus, comedian Reggie Watts, musicians TYCHO & Jim James, and many more!Listeners get 15% off tickets to the 5-day event with our promo code LSRF15 at PsychedelicScience.orgMindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgAbout Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com.“What do you do when you're passing strangers in the street and you love them completely? It's not bullshit. You feel about them the way you feel about someone you love, like your mother. What happens when the boundary of compassion breaks through and there is no longer this person deserves compassion, this person doesn't. It's like a dam broke." – Duncan TrussellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 30, 2025 • 1h
Ep. 596 – Psychedelics: A Master Key to Rewiring the Brain with Gül Dölen
Gül Dölen, a neuroscientist at UC Berkeley, dives deep into the transformative potential of psychedelics in this engaging discussion. She explains how psychedelics can reopen critical learning periods in the brain, helping to reshape harmful patterns and heal trauma. Gül shares fascinating insights from animal studies, including octopuses, that suggest new pathways for understanding human behavior. The conversation also highlights the importance of mindful integration and mystical practices to support this healing process, presenting psychedelics as a groundbreaking tool for mental health.

May 23, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep. 595 – Igniting the Heart of Compassion: In Remembrance of Ralph De La Rosa
Honoring the life of a longtime friend of the Be Here Network, Ralph De La Rosa, this special episode explores Ralph’s wisdom on moving through trauma via the heart of compassion. If you’d like to honor Ralph De La Rosa’s legacy by supporting his family, a GoFundMe has been created to help with the significant and unexpected expenses following his passing - Honoring Ralph's Life: Support their familyIn this conversation with Jackie Dobrinska from June 2024, Ralph shares his wisdom on the topics of:The nourishment that daily spiritual practice brought to Ralph's healing journeyRalph’s difficulties with mental health, bullying, neurodivergence, and gender non-conformityHow spiritual bypassing can distract from real healing and disconnect us from realityThe myth of constant happiness and why true bliss involves emotional depthCultivating self-compassion to transform trauma, fear, and emotional heartbreakHealing from the inside out by embracing pain as a teacher and guideA 20-minute guided meditation/compassion practice led by RalphRalph’s transformative rehab experience and introduction to Buddhist teachingsDeveloping an embodied sense of self-love, safety, and inner affectionExploring subjective perception and rewriting our personal and collective narrativesUsing curiosity as a stepping stone when we are struggling to get to compassionHealing trauma by reconnecting with the inner child (with therapeutic support)Acknowledging our defense mechanisms and communicating with the parts of ourselves that are stuck in survival modeLetting go of past emotional residue and rebuilding trust in the heart’s wisdomUnderstanding the difference between real love/compassion and codependent patterns/poor boundariesToday's episode is sponsored by Reunion & Dharma Seed:Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgJoin Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTIAbout Ralph De La Rosa:Ralph De La Rosa (he/they) was a teacher of human spirituality, an internationally published author and a trauma-focused psychotherapist. Ralph worked in private practice and was a seasoned meditation teacher known for his radically open and humorous teaching style. He was personally mentored by Richard Schwartz, founder and developer of Internal Family Systems. Check out Ralph’s book, Outshining Trauma, which focuses on trauma and radical self-compassion. Learn more about Ralph on his website.“We're all holding traumas. We've all been bruised by life in large or small ways. What that is, is an invitation to find and open the heart of compassion, the heart of loving kindness that already exists within you. It's right there.” – Ralph De La RosaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 16, 2025 • 1h 8min
Ep. 594 – Embodied Awareness & Somatic Healing with Jill Satterfield
Embodied awareness practitioner Jill Satterfield joins Raghu to unpack how meditative poses, creativity, and slowing down can help us release pain, move energy, and heal somatically.In this delightful episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu and Jill Satterfield converse about:Out-of-body experiences through immersive art and altered states of consciousnessJill’s college days and spiritual insights from taking peyote in the desert Finding a spiritual path through chronic pain and emotional sufferingHow trauma and pain disconnect us from bodily awarenessThe physiological impact of imagination on the body and nervous system How meditative and yogic poses can open areas of our body & psyche for exploration Witnessing processes within the body via ‘slowing down, staying in something, and moving energy’Somatic healing during retreat and bringing concentration into the body Adaptive postures for meditation and yoga, and allowing flexibility within our practiceThe benefit of curiosity for altering our perspectives and opening the heart Noticing that pain is an umbrella for many feelings, including some that are pleasant or interesting Today's episode is sponsored by Reunion & Dharma Seed:Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgJoin Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTIAbout Jill Satterfield:Jill Satterfield has been a quiet pioneer in the integration of embodied awareness practices and Buddhist teachings for over 30 years. Her heart/mind and body approach developed from somatic and contemplative psychology, 35 years of Buddhist study, extensive meditation retreat time and decades of living with chronic pain. At the invitation of her primary teacher, Ajahn Amaro, Jill was the first to offer mindful movement and somatic practices on silent retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and then the Insight Meditation Society 30 years ago. She has developed teacher trainings and mentoring programs that integrate embodied awareness with Dharma ever since. Learn more about Jill’s numerous offerings on her website. "Imagination creates a physiological response. What you imagine changes your body—it changes your mind. If you're thinking about your guru, your teacher, someone you love, it changes your body." – Jill SatterfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ep. 593 – A Journey Through Psyche & Spirit with Melinda Edwards, MD
Dr. Melinda Edwards sits down with Raghu for a journey through psyche and spirit, revealing the doorways that led her out of trauma, into healing, and ultimately home to her heart. This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Dr. Melinda Edwards discuss:How Dr. Melinda Edwards grew up as a child of medical missionaries in Guatemala The build-up of trauma in Dr. Edwards’ life and how it manifested as an eating disorderHow meeting Ram Dass transformed Melinda’s life and guided her to Neem Karoli BabaRam Dass’ example of holding unconditional love and compassionate presence for othersUsing our issues and contractions as an individualized path forward for spiritual growth Considering the value of psychedelics for accelerating a spiritual journey The powerful impact of full commitment and surrender during meditation retreatsAddressing common misconceptions about autism and how autistic individuals process emotionsDr. Melinda’s experience teaching her daughter “how to be human” and to navigate this chaotic worldLiving Darshan, Dr. Edwards’ non-profit, aimed at increasing the understanding of neurodiversity The challenge and importance of keeping our hearts open, even in moments of resistanceFinding shared humanity in the people and traits we fear, reject, or dislike in othersFacing our inner rage, grief, and pain in response to the global political and emotional climateThis episode is sponsored by Reunion & Dharma Seed:Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgJoin Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTIAbout Dr. Melinda Edwards:Melinda Edwards, MD is a mother, writer and physician in Charleston, SC. Her medical training and her life’s journey home to her own heart inform her work as a psychiatrist. Supporting others in their discovery of the love that we all are is one of her greatest joys. She is the founder of the 501c3 nonprofit organization Living Darshan and is the author of Psyche & Spirit: How a Psychiatrist Found Divinity Through Her Lifelong Quest for Truth and Her Daughter’s Autism. Keep up with Dr. Edwards on her website or on her Instagram."Our psychology, our contractions, our issues, whatever comes up is itself the doorway back home to our hearts. Isn't that a miracle? Each of us has a perfectly individualized path laid out right in front of our noses each moment." – Melinda Edwards, MDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 2, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ep. 592 – One Undivided Reality with Buddhist Teacher Haemin Sunim
International bestselling author and Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim joins Raghu Markus to explore awakening, emotional healing, and returning to joy in a unified reality.In this episode, Raghu and Haemin explore:Haemin’s early spiritual influences, including his fascination with J. KrishnamurtiUnderstanding genuine freedom as freedom from the knownOneness and the truth of a unified, non-dual reality beyond inner and outer divisionsThe formless nature of awareness and unconditional loveAwareness as an independent presence, not something we ownBefriending emotions and seeing the roots of stress and traumaFacing our shadow and recognizing where resistance lives in usTurning inward to examine personal triggers rather than blaming othersQuestioning limiting beliefs and inherited thoughts from childhoodWelcoming difficult emotions with compassion, as Ram Dass once taughtThe deep longing to return home to our true, unified selfExperiencing the natural joy of being versus the tension of needing to be rightSeeing our shared humanity—even in those we consider enemiesCultivating compassion and answering the call to serve othersThis episode is sponsored by Reunion & Dharma Seed:Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgJoin Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern and Duncan Trussell for a conversation about finding our own voice, our own expression, and our own way of connecting with people. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - AUTHENTIC PRESENCE: FINDING YOUR OWN VOICEAbout Haemin Sunim:Born in South Korea and educated at Berkeley, Harvard, and Princeton, Haemin Sunim received formal monastic training from Haein monastery in South Korea. He taught Asian religions at Hampshire College in Massachusetts for seven years. He is one of the most influential Zen monks in the world. His first book, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, has been translated into more than 35 languages and sold over four million copies. His second book, Love for Imperfect Things, was the number one bestseller of 2016 in South Korea and became available in multiple languages in 2019. Haemin resides in Seoul when not traveling to share his teachings. Check out his website to learn more and grab yourself a copy of his most recent book, When Things Don’t Go Your Way. “Though there is an objective world out there, it is not ‘out there’. It is how the mind creates this world seemingly outside of us. In fact, it’s not outside of us. There is no inner and outer division—it’s just our conceptual distinction. In reality, there is one, undivided reality.”- Haemin SunimSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 25, 2025 • 60min
Ep. 591 – The Intimate Way of Zen with James Ishmael Ford, Zen Buddhist Priest & Ordained Minister
Discussing his new book, The Intimate Way of Zen, Nondual spiritualist James Ishmael Ford joins Raghu for an exploration of our relationship to all things. This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and James explore:James’ upbringing and how his maternal grandmother was the spiritual orientation for his familyHaving an intimate relationship with all thingsThe goal of discovering what this life truly is Spiritual friendship which is deep, profound, and life-changing Unconditional love and considering our judgment of others Trying to see others as trees, as Ram Dass taught Combining Bhakti Yoga with the wisdom of Buddhism Flirting with nihilism, cynicism, and new-ageism Exploring the work of Carl Jung and James HillmanThe resurgence of psychedelics in today’s culture The many paths and doorways into enlightenment Check out the books referenced in this episode: Zen at the End of Religion, If You're Lucky Your Heart Will Break, and of course, The Intimate Way of Zen. About James Ishmael Ford, Zen Buddhist Priest & Ordained Minister:James has walked the spiritual path for more than fifty years. He's danced with Sufis, studied with Christian mystics, lived in Buddhist monasteries, and eventually was ordained a Zen priest. Later, he was also ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. James' path has taken him to a life "between" several traditions, bringing him into a nondual spirituality. Trying to unpack what that actually means in his life, and with a tip of the hat to Erasmus, James claims a physiology of faith; a Buddhist brain, a Christian heart, and a rationalist stomach. You can learn more about James on his website and keep up with his most recent project, the Unanswered Question Newsletter, HERE.“For me, the goal is to find 'what is'. I originally framed it as 'Is there a God?’ I realized I had the question wrong, and at some point it was 'what is God?'. Today, I would say, 'what is this?'” – James Ishmael FordThis episode is sponsored by Reunion & Dharma Seed: Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgJoin Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern and Duncan Trussell for a conversation about finding our own voice, our own expression, and our own way of connecting with people. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - AUTHENTIC PRESENCE: FINDING YOUR OWN VOICESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.