Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

This week, we pause to remember the life, presence, and artistry of a friend of the show who will be deeply missed.Recorded in 2021, this conversation features Grammy-winning artist John Forté in his first appearance on the podcast. John and Raghu talk about the spirit of music, the highs and lows of success, and John’s experience headlining the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series.John Forté (January 30, 1975 – January 12, 2026) is survived by his wife and two children. If you’d like to offer support, a donation link is available here: Honoring John Forte by Supporting His FamilyThis special episode features an inspired conversation on:Community as the spirit of music: John Forté’s Brooklyn upbringing in the economic downturns of the 70s and 80sThe emotional, mental, and physical hardships of struggling to get by in an underserved communityPerseverance through love: John’s inspiration for his musical careerJohn’s highest highs, lowest lows, & what it is like to start over John’s friendship with the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill, linking up with The Fugees, and their co-creation of a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum record, The ScoreJohn's stint in prison, where in his cell, his refuge and musical rebirth came in the form of an acoustic guitarMusic as internal alchemy and Ram Dass’s influence on John’s song Gong Guru from his album Riddem DriveVenturing further into spirituality: John’s deep affinity for wisdom teachers like Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, and Abraham HicksListen to John’s other visit to the Mindrolling Podcast on Ep. 405 and a conversation about resonance, integration & catharsis on this special Ram Dass Fellowship with host, Jackie Dobriska, available on Ep. 124 of the Be Here Now Network Guest Podcast. About John Forté:John Forté is a Grammy-winning recording artist best known for his work with the hip-hop group, The Fugees, writing and producing songs on their multi-platinum record The Score. After a stint in prison while riding the volatile waves of success and failure, John coupled his refuge of music with messages of wisdom and love from inspirational spiritual teachers. Listen to John’s album Riddem Drive, and don’t miss him on the Soul Land Music Series: Songs & Stories Inspired by Ram Dass.“My journey with music has been the relationship of having it, experiencing it, seeing it morph and take on different colors and shapes. It showed me from a very early age that collaboration was going to be the key for the source of my continued inspiration—working with others, finding that harmony—that’s the spirit of it. The spirit of music is community, it’s communication, it’s air itself.” –John FortéSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author and nonviolence practitioner Kazu Haga explores why fierce vulnerability is a vital practice for inner and outer transformation.Read an excerpt of Kazu’s book, Fierce Vulnerability, and purchase your own copy HERE.This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Kazu Haga chat about:Kazu’s difficult upbringing and how meeting Japanese Buddhist monastics transformed his lifeCombining social action and spirituality The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and addressing both inner violence of the spirit and outer systemic violenceHow an “us vs. them” worldview fuels division, suffering, and ecological destructionHealing childhood trauma and collective trauma by integrating the fractured parts of ourselvesHow getting vulnerable opens up our capacity to heal The Seven Fires Prophecies from the Anishinaabe peopleRebuilding the world through spiritual practice rather than material accumulationRemembering that personal healing is inseparable from collective healing in an interdependent worldListening deeply and being comfortable with uncertainty Check out the book Hospicing Modernity for more powerful insights on social actionAbout Kazu Haga:Kazu Haga is a trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice, a core member of the Ahimsa Collective and the Fierce Vulnerability Network. He is a Jam facilitator and author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm and Fierce Vulnerability: Healing from Trauma, Emerging from Collapse. He works with incarcerated people, youth, and activists from around the country. He has over 25 years of experience in nonviolence and social change work. He is a resident of the Canticle Farm community on Lisjan Ohlone land, Oakland, CA, where he lives with his family. You can find out more about his work at www.kazuhaga.com.“The work of nonviolence has to start by looking at the ways in which we hold internal violence of the spirit, that unhealed anger, hatred, resentment, delusion, as well as our unhealed traumas, and understanding how all of that is the source of external violence in the world. Yes we need the social movements, but if we’re not grounded in some sort of inner work and introspection a lot of the violence we want to change out there gets replicated in our own work, in our own communities.”  –Kazu HagaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Longtime friends David Silver and Raghu Markus discuss Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and the legacy of Dzogchen maintained by his four sons.Grab a copy of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s memoirs, Blazing Splendor, for a deeper look into his magnificent life. This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and David have a discussion about:The life and teachings of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, one of the greatest Dzogchen meditation masters of the 20th centuryTulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s sons and how they continue to spread Dzogchen wisdom to the WestCore principles of Dzogchen philosophy, including the nature of mind and nondual awarenessUnderstanding cognitive emptiness and the illusion of a solid identityWhy contemplating death and impermanence can be a path to liberationWorking consciously with loss and mortality before the end of lifeNot falling into the trap of believing this life is permanentViewing dreams and meditation as parallel practices for awakeningThe patience and discipline required to form new spiritual habitsLiving fully while recognizing the inevitability of deathLearn about dealing with the bardo of dying in the book In Love with the World by  Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche or hop into The Bardo Guidebook by Chokyi Nyima RinpocheAbout David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silver’s #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, “The Compleat Beatles” is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about history’s most famous band. The term ‘rockumentary’ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a “masterwork.” Silver’s Warner Brothers’ feature film, “No Nukes” also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries. “Urgyen and his sons and all Dzogchen people believe that dreaming is as important as meditating. Dreams are fluid, anything can happen in a dream. You can fly, you can walk through a wall. What Mingyur says is that is the perfect analogy for life itself; life is as fluid and as transparent as that dream, but we don’t know it because we think it’s solid because we can’t put our finger through our hand.” –David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this music-filled re-release, Raghu Markus is joined by spiritual musician Jai Uttal to chat about opening our hearts through the magnitude of melodies.Get your copy of All In This Together, the latest book from Jack Kornfield! Let this new book be your guide, as Jack reveals how to navigate our human experience with wisdom and care. Inside you’ll find a beautiful collection of stories, inspiration for conflict resolution, and powerful teachings on healing, justice, and human kindness—anchored in the teachings of the Buddha and poetry from luminary voices like Mary Oliver. Click here to learn more!In this episode, Raghu and Jai Uttal discuss:The formation of melodic structures and how music is as boundless as an oceanLetting go of the idea that we must master an instrument in order to create musicGetting into the flow of devotional music and honoring God through our presence rather than perfectionThe friendship between Jai Uttal and Ram Dass and Jai’s journey to IndiaThe Baul’s of Bengal and mystical, spontaneous verseJai’s single, Holy Mad Men, inspired by Bengali-style musicMore Bengali-influenced music by The BandThe dotara, an Indian folk instrument Jai frequently usesMusical creation as the legacy of satsang and a path to continued connectionCheck out Ali Akbar Khan to hear some classical Indian Ragas and the sarod instrument that Raghu and Jai discuss.About Jai Uttal:Jai Uttal is a Grammy-nominated sacred music composer, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist. Having traveled extensively in India, he met many great saints and singers and Bhakti Yoga became his personal path. Jai has been leading, teaching, and performing kirtan around the world for nearly 50 years. He creates a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices.“Music is way more vast than any one human person can understand.” –Jai UttalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anne Lamott, Raghu Markus, and RamDev reveal that letting go of how life should be opens the door to compassion, healing, and contentment with reality.This Dharma Session was recorded at the December 2025 Ram Dass Open Your Heart in Paradise Retreat. Learn about upcoming community events HERE.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu, Anne, and RamDev hold a talk on:Standing in presence with change and impermanenceRam Dass’ eye-opening story of a farmer and his son How investing in that which changes leads to sufferingCollective healing through all the grief in the world The negative emotions that arise when we resist changeCreating an intimate, compassionate relationship with the sense of lossAnne’s experiences of radicalizing change in her own lifeWise Hope: taking leaps of faith and hoping that things will work out as they shouldAbout Anne Lamott:Anne Lamott is the New York Times best-selling author of many books, including collections of essays, novels, and long-form non-fiction, including the classic writing manual Bird by Bird and child-rearing memoir Operating Instructions. In addition to being a novelist and nonfiction writer, Lamott is also a progressive political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher. Keep up with Anne on Instagram.“It's very hard to be human here; it's scary. I feel like Cindy-Lou Who sometimes, like this tiny little being. ‘Be still my heart and wait without hope’–what I hope is that things will sort out the way they should for the common welfare.” - Anne LamottAbout RamDev:RamDev Dale Borglum is the founder and Executive Director of The Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, on caregiving as a spiritual practice, and on healing at the edge, the edge of illness, of death, of loss, of crisis. Check out RamDev’s podcast, Healing at the Edge, on the Be Here Now Network.Learn more about The Living/Dying Project at livingdying.org“When we’re in the heart, it gives us the possibility of being with grief and change in a way that leads to healing. There is a profoundly wonderful line by Rumi where he says ‘grief is the garden of compassion.” –RamDevSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking through a Jungian lens, Psychologist Dr. John Price and Raghu Markus have a discussion on the mechanics of awakening.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and John chat about:What we can learn from the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Jungian philosophy and creating balance within the psyche Attraction to the arts, music, and alternative ways of beingComparing youth and coming of age today versus in the pastThe growth and learning that happens through adversity Cultivating trust with those who are woundedMaking compassionate response our default state, especially when dealing with childrenLeaving one’s culture to truly understand where we come fromVarious ways of cultivating non-ordinary statesHow society often stifles our experiences of mystical eventsThe current psychedelic revolution and therapeutic utility of entheogens Check out William Blake’s The Book of Urizen for a deep dive into mystical literature“That’s obviously one’s religious and spiritual experience that is totally, uniquely yours. We know the definition of a mystical experience: it’s ineffable, it’s transitive, it’s a unitive experience. I’m willing to say that most of us have had these kinds of experiences, and yet because our culture doesn't support that world view, we write them off as what you can call the ‘nothing but’.” –Dr. John PriceAbout Dr. John Price:Dr. John Price is a Jungian psychotherapist, co-founder of The Center for Healing Arts & Sciences, and host of The Sacred Speaks podcast. John’s journey from touring musician to single fatherhood reshaped his understanding of human transformation. John’s work bridges ancient wisdom with modern psychology—offering tools for shedding the adaptations that once saved us but now imprison us. Learn more about John’s offerings on his website.“Jung would call this the inferior function given that I’m so feeling-oriented and intuitive. To actually get into the thinking and sensing function is something that I’m very much trying to counterbalance. That’s my inferior function. From his philosophical orientation, it’s a way to create wholeness where you counterbalance the one-sidedness of our psyche.” –Dr. John PriceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussing the loving-kindness lessons in Kind Karl, Sharon’s first children’s book, Raghu, Duncan, and Sharon chat about raising mindful kids who can become mindful adults.  Kind Karl will be released on 12/9!  Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here. This time on Mindrolling, Duncan, Sharon, and Raghu connect over:Sharon’s upcoming children’s book on mindfulness and loving-kindness, Kind KarlUnderstanding how habits like greed and fear begin in early childhoodHow issues like greed have roots in early childhoodLearning from Karl the Crocodile: navigating big feelings, mistakes, and emotional complexityKarl the Crocodile as an inspiration for parents dealing with guilt and stressMaking mindfulness accessible and engaging for children of all agesPutting our thoughts onto clouds and allowing them to float awayLoving-kindness meditations for kids: getting the whole family into mindfulness practiceAbout Sharon Salzberg:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com and check out Insight Meditation Society. “It’s not a small thing to have even a little act of kindness because of what’s happening to us inside. That’s something Karl the Crocodile gets into. He really decides to change when he makes that experiment, which can be kind of radical: help them instead of hurt them, help yourself, and forgive yourself. How does it feel inside when we choose that?” –Sharon SalzbergAbout  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. "It starts right at the beginning, they want each other's toys. This is built into us. Whenever you look out into the world at the stuff going on and the big picture, it really isn't that different from siblings, except the problem is that these are adults and there isn't anyone to tell them, okay, you're getting a time out." –Duncan TrussellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celebrating the release of There Is No Other, a new book of teachings from Ram Dass’ lectures, Parvati Markus and Raghu Markus listen to and reflect on some of the material used in its creation.This special episode of Mindrolling celebrates the new book, There Is No Other, a collection of teachings taken from Ram Dass’ lectures. In these times, Ram Dass’ teachings on wholeness and unity are more needed than ever.We begin with a clip of Ram Dass exploring the mindset of “us versus them.” Who exactly is us? Who is them? Raghu and Parvati reflect on how this clip is central to the theme of There Is No Other.The next clip features Ram Dass talking about the balance of heart and mind. Sharing a powerful real-life example, he explores how we cut ourselves off when we veil our hearts. Raghu and Parvati share how the book is about walking a path to harmony and wholeness.The third clip finds Ram Dass examining Ramana Maharshi’s concept of “God, Guru, Self,” and how we can begin to appreciate that the Spirit is everywhere. Parvati and Raghu discuss how Ram Dass’ new book speaks to this really important moment in our lives.We end with a brief clip of Ram Dass talking about the path of love. “Finally,” he says, “you become an environment, a vibratory rate…”The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. We invite you to join us and share your curiosities, insights, and wisdom. Sign up for the General Fellowship to receive event invitations directly in your inbox.“So the mind, if it gets too strong, out of balance with the heart, shuts down all the information that the heart can give. It cuts you off from your wisdom, really. You don’t even see all the stuff. I mean, you and I are simultaneously existing on so many planes of reality, but because of the power of our minds, we keep limiting which realities are real, and the rest of it we either treat as error or we don’t even notice. It’s so deeply unconscious, we just don’t even notice all the rest of us, of ourselves.” – Ram DassSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raghu Markus and Psychoanalyst Dr. Jeffrey Rubin unpack how mindfulness, empathy, and self-understanding connect the worlds of Buddhism and Western therapy.In this Mindrolling episode, Raghu and Dr. Rubin discuss:Jeffrey’s traditional upbringing and the unexpected spiritual experience he had during a basketball gameKey parallels between Western psychotherapy and Buddhist wisdomHow “hovering attention” and mindfulness support both therapists and clientsIdentifying pure presence in numerous activities, from chanting to sports and beyond The marriage of Buddha and Freud: moment-to-moment non-judgmental, non-interfering presence Why some Buddhist practitioners can be “one with experience” but struggle to articulate what that truly meansViewing our symptoms as beautiful gateways to transformation rather than obstaclesPutting practice into everyday life and helping people truly live differentlyEmpathetically understanding those we disagree with Becoming open to feedback and growth instead of shutting down new ideas The ways in which we maladaptively try to cure ourselves What real, sustainable transformation actually looks like in practiceGrab one of Jeffrey’s central works, Meditative Psychotherapy: The Marriage of East and WestAbout Dr. Jeffrey B. Rubin:Dr. Rubin practices psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapy and teaches meditation in New York City and Bedford Hills, New York. Widely regarded as a leading integrator of the Western psychotherapeutic and Eastern meditative traditions, Dr. Rubin created Meditative Psychotherapy based on decades of study, teaching and helping people to flourish. Dr. Rubin is the author of six books and numerous publications. He has taught at universities, psychoanalytic institutes and Buddhist and yoga centers. Dr. Rubin lectures in the US and has given workshops at the UN, the Esalen Institute, the Open Center and the 92nd Street Y. His pioneering approach to psychotherapy and Buddhism has been featured in The New York Times Magazine.​ Sign up HERE for a workshop on self-transformation with Dr. Rubin“I call it the marriage of Buddha and Freud. It’s any practice that cultivates moment-to-moment, non-judgmental, non-interfering presence. That can be qigong, prayer, or Sufi dancing. I don’t want the audience to think it has to be Buddhist; it can be many things. It just happens to be very well done in Buddhism. It’s any sincere path that will help you focus, concentrate, have more self-compassion and compassion for others.” –Dr. Jeffrey B. RubinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of Mindrolling is a collection of some of the most potent teachings from Raghu’s conversations with experts and researchers in the field of psychedelics.In this Mindrolling Anthology:Clip 1 (Ep. 348) – We begin with a clip from one of Raghu’s conversations with Rick Doblin, who is a leader of the current psychedelic renaissance. They discuss grief, PTSD, and the role of psychedelics in trauma processing.Clip 2 (Ep. 497) – Next up is a snippet from Raghu’s talk with Dr. Sylvestre Quevedo, a psychedelic researcher who has practiced medicine for over 40 years. They explore how ketamine fits into the picture of psychedelics and share stories of their own experiences.Clip 3 (Ep. 505) – We move on to a discussion with Paul Austin, an entrepreneur, author, and coach. He and Raghu talk about how psychedelics can help us remember who we truly are and the potential they hold for healing relationships.Clip 4 (Ep. 563) – Next, we have neuropharmacologist Stephanie Karzon Abrams. She and Raghu discuss bridging the gap between science and spirit, and how psychedelics can help change our perspectives.Clip 5 (Ep. 596) – The final clip is from a conversation between Raghu and neuroscientist Gül Dölen. They talk about how psychedelics induce meta-plasticity and why “critical periods” after psychedelic therapies are similar to the Buddhist concept of beginner’s mind.“But really, what psychedelics are teaching us is the importance of presence, how to listen, how to slow down, right? They’re helping to sort of take us out of this rigamarole, this hamster wheel of existence, and see that another way of being is actually possible. And really, what’s required more than anything is a loving, compassionate presence.” – Paul AustinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.