Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

From Chatanooga and London to the forest monasteries of Thailand, this couple articulates their clear-as-a-bell vision of credible liberation. Can the grit of suffering become a pearl of consciousness? K & T delight R & D with some R & R from ordinary mind and light up the podcast. They also display pragmatic activist consciousness in their wise words about nurturing Mother Earth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alchemizing rebel anger into Buddhist altruism with Noah Levine, writer of Dharma Punx, plus R & D’s personal experiences with Van Morrison and Joey Ramone… Newfoundland somehow is in there too as a Canadian Pure Land on a very auspicious day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David loses a Tibetan precious jewel. Suddenly, miraculously, it re-appears a year later and sparks a rare blog spoken out loud. And Raghu drills deep into the epidemic of facelessness, with social media as the head of the dragon. Plus news about a very false guru and great riffing from Stevie Ray Vaughan… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary O’Malley takes us through her concept of the spells that we had imposed on us as we grew into our “ego” bodies- R&D discuss with Mary the anti-dote to the spells and the self talking storytelling that crowds our minds all the day long! Real practical how to info for the stretched and compressed lives we live. And Mindrolling celebrates our 100th Podcast! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Massive transformation, noetic feeling, absolute healing – Bhava Ram (aka Brad Willis) tells his life story from his harrowing NBC war correspondent days through huge suffering and addiction finally to emergence as a full blown yogi and exemplar of optimism, grit and perennial practice. Podcast 99 tells a miraculous tale. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychedelic therapy and its mystical grasp in the 21st Century – R & D explore the newer, fresher science of psilocybin and LSD studies along with David’s fish eyes acid empathy and Raghu’s not quite mindful crashing his car into a ditch. Plus Maharaji memories of pure wisdom trumping the deepest trip imaginable… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Exploring Death (It’s all the rage) - The truth is that we have no idea what happens when we drop our body, so it’s hard to say whether any particular reaction is appropriate or not. The sooner we face the reality of our mortality, the more time we have to approach it • Heart to Heart - Buddha was one heart, and turned on many. As we go deeper into ourselves we radiate that frequency to the world around us. We find balance and share what we learn. • Finding Balance (Change your conscious) - Even systems like capitalism can function, but only if there is balance. All we can bring to the present situation is greater consciousness • Sharon Salzberg (Official Badass) - Sharon did the work, and it shows. We all have different approaches to experiment with, but they all involve doing what is necessary to get free. Where we are is just an accumulation of our innate experiential wisdom • Protective Fashion - Styles of dress can be an attempt to associate oneself with a certain mode of thinking, but can also serve as a simple reminder to stay true to what you value • Modern Kindness -¬ Raghu and Dave remark on the encouraging level of consideration among the current youth. The greater exposure to the true connectedness of our lives seems to be generating a greater concern for and appreciation of our collective future • Family Ties (The ties that bind) - Michael points to the influence of tradition and spoon-fed comfort that can perpetuate nefarious actions within powerful families or corporations. What to do? Angry protests, or perhaps more mindfulness oriented actions? • The Reality of Love (The only reality) - Kindness, compassion - these are the only religions. It doesn’t eliminate suffering, but it allows us to se through it, and to move toward relieving it • Ganesh (The gateway drug) - We often need to use something to focus our attention on. The deeper we move into the practice, the more we understand that it’s what these objects represent that we are seeking. The best methods seem to self destruct See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Bums United - Ian explains how he was introduced to the mindrollers, and discusses some of his early transformers, including the discovery of transcendental meditation, and subsequently Buddhism • Don’t be a Buddhist (Be a Buddha) - There are no rules in Buddhism, just suggestions, which point in the direction of awakening. We can all have unique methods that move us closer to that state of awareness. Ian makes it a point to include Metta as part of his practice, citing it as a major shift on his path. Raghu highlights the synergistic effects of Vipassana in combination with the practice of Metta - Quiet the mind, invoke the heart • The Last Irish Monk - Ian talks about his initial discovery of U Dhammaloka, and the subsequent inspiration that led to his current film project, through which he hopes to rescue the great sage from obscurity • ‘Warning to Buddhists’ (Choice words from U Dhammaloka) Ian reads from some of the more controversial work of the late Irish monk, and expresses his deep admiration for the courage displayed throughout his mysterious existence - Engaged Buddhism is underated • Down with Dogma - U Dhammaloka was well known for his proactive and outspoken nature. His disappearance from history is not so surprising, given his proclivity for exposing untruths that undermine the established order • Cultural Considerations - Dave inquires about potential parallels between the struggles of Theos Bernard and those of U Dhammaloka in being accepted into these cultures. Raghu explains the greater acceptance in places like Burma, as opposed to the stricter standards of Tibet • Bum Support - Help Ian share this lost wisdom by donating to his current crowd funding campaign • Timeless Message - The actions taken by this little known Irish monk are as applicable today as they were in his time - Make your life your message See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Phobias Formed (Blame our ancestors) - Science points to direct experiences in forming phobias that can be found further down the genetic line. Raghu rattles off some of the more interesting fears in the modern age - does ignorance play a role in many of these irrational fears? • Mindfulness vs. Therapy (Head to Head) - Spiritual circles sometimes frown upon psychoanalysis, citing its potential to perpetuate thought patterns. We have to keep in mind that meditation alone can’t always provide the healing one might need. Some of the deeper wounds and unconscious fears can linger beyond meditations reach. Raghu agrees, and offers some of his own personal experience with therapy, advising to find someone who isn’t attached to any one school of thought. Dave highlights the unique brand of modern neuroses, which may require a multifaceted approach • Wounds (Deep Cuts) - Dave highlights the unique brand of modern neuroses, which may require a multifaceted approach. Can meditation and therapy adapt to the ever-evolving market of suffering? • Embrace, Explore and Understand - Working with your shadow is a difficult task, regardless of how you approach it. It requires a deep commitment to be honest and loving with yourself • Prolonging Mourning Meditation - At times, your practice may be preventing you from fully addressing your suffering. Try to avoid the spiritual bypass of pushing these issues away • Emancipatory Meditation (Choiceless Awareness?) - “Involves intimacy with oneself as an extraordinary and vital activity in which one attends to whatever one is experiencing without any preconceived conclusions, and without trying to get rid if it” - Don’t encourage, but be aware, without judgment • Ogre as Guru - Dave comments on one of the ‘Eight Verses of Thought Transformation’ by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa. Through practice we learn to transform what we detest - The teachings are everywhere and everyone. But, how do we actually apply this to real life horror, and when is it appropriate to act? Dave points to the current terror of ISIS, and draws on the teachings of the Dalai Lama in sorting this mess out • Taking Up Arms (With Brothers in Arms) - How can we remain mindful when using force, and play out our roles without attachment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at the 2014 ‘Open Your Heart in Paradise’ retreat in Maui, Raghu is joined by fellow Mindpod patron, Jack Kornfield, as well as the podcast guru himself, Duncan Trussell. The power trio chats about Duncan’s initiation into the Satsang, the sustainability of Dharma power, and the technology-fueled future of spirituality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.