Ancient Futures

Do yogic practices and psychoactive substances lead somewhere similar? Stuart Sarbacker is a scholar and practitioner of yoga based in Oregon, where adult use of psilocybin – the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms – was recently legalised (though some places opt out).As well as studying and teaching yoga, Stuart has also trained to facilitate sessions with psilocybin. His work looks at the overlaps between ancient history and modern engagement with psychedelics, both therapeutically and for life-enhancing purposes. Among other questions, we consider:* How influential is yoga in psychedelic research?* What exactly was soma and what was its function?* Could psychoactive plants have inspired early yogis?* To what extent might drugs mimic meditative insights?* How transformative are mystical experiences of any kind?Stuart is the author of several books, including an overview of yoga history titled Tracing the Path of Yoga (on which more here). He shares academic his writing here – on topics as varied as near-death experiences, sun salutations and meditative clarity. For another conversation between us, see last week's post.

Life can be both physically and mentally fragile – as Michael Holden explores with candid humour. His most recent book, The Reluctant Carer, describes moving in with his ailing parents, and trying to look after them while navigating multiple personal setbacks.One of these – not featured in the book – involved being handcuffed and taken to hospital from a meditation retreat. He subsequently wrote about that for Esquire, discussing the potential risks of contemplative practice, and a fine line between psychosis and self-transcendence.Our conversation reflects on identity from multiple perspectives – spiritually, culturally and psychologically. We also talk about learning from liminal states, however they're triggered. And we consider what it means to have a therapeutic dialogue, which at times we embody – you're welcome to eavesdrop.The Reluctant Carer began as an anonymous Guardian article, and Michael later outed himself as the author in the same publication. Find out more about his other work here, or subscribe to him on Substack for regular updates.

What makes it holy to get really stoned? This is an unavoidable question in India, where smoking cannabis is banned but done by dreadlocked devotees. Meanwhile, weed smoothies are frequently drunk at religious festivals.The writer Karan Madhok investigates this paradox – along with many others – in his new book Ananda, subtitled “An Exploration of Cannabis in India”. It also covers lots of other subjects, including cultural history, indigenous medicine, politicised religion, the pleasures of travel and the charms of Varanasi.As we discuss, references to cannabis date back to the Vedas, though the custom of smoking it is relatively recent. Like criminalisation, that came from outsiders – and ironically countries that promoted prohibition, such as the United States, have since been at the forefront of legalisation.Things are now changing in India with commercialised hemp and Ayurvedic remedies, but recreational use is illegal. Our conversation considers the benefits as well as the drawbacks of cannabis consumption, and asks if the bliss to which Ananda refers might be found more sustainably by other means.

What if the most important yogic posture was curiosity? That's how Paul Bramadat, a scholar and practitioner, approaches research on a personal passion. He describes his new book Yogalands as “a skeptical but devoted insider's perspective” on postural yoga and its place in the world.As we discuss, this involves nuanced thinking on its practical benefits, the role of religion, the significance of politics and ways to engage with contemporary debates about guru abuses and cross-cultural borrowing. The book emerged from interviews with teachers, reflecting diverse views on how “yoga is this, but also that”.Our conversation explores, among other topics:* What it might mean to teach “yoga for adults”* Tensions between yogic and academic worldviews* Why healing from trauma is such a common paradigm* Whether practitioners retreat into “anti-worlds”* If yoga is political, which values define itPaul works as a professor at the University of Victoria, where he is director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society. He also teaches Ashtanga yoga.

Are there limits to what can be said in factual prose? Might poets sometimes do a better job of conveying deeper meaning and emotional truth? Lindsey Hilsum has reported on conflicts for more than 30 years. Her latest book, I Brought the War with Me, juxtaposes poetry with frontline experiences.Our conversation explores her reflections on a wide range of topics, including:* Why poetry speaks more timelessly than journalism* How difficult situations can bring out the best in people* Some potential limitations of reporting, as well as its value* The distinction between being an eyewitness and an activist* Whether locals or outsiders tell more trustworthy storiesLindsey works as International Editor for Channel 4 News, and also contributes to newspapers and literary journals. Her previous book – about the war correspondent Marie Colvin – won the 2019 James Tait Black Prize for biography. For those outside the UK, this article explains the podcast's reference to Gary Lineker…

How closely connected are yoga and politics? Many people today try to keep them apart, but an ancient tradition sees yoga as politics. Although its theories might be distinct from yogic philosophies and mind-body disciplines, they're nonetheless part of a broader understanding of what yoga means.A new book called The Yoga of Power, by Sunila Kalé and Christian Lee Novetzke, unpacks the implications. Initially inspired by events such as a U.S. court case about whether yoga in schools was religious and the Hindu nationalist promotion of “yoga day”, their work studies texts from the Ṛg Veda onwards, showing how yoga describes the exertion of control. Together, we discuss (among other topics):* The use of yoga-kṣema to refer to people's welfare* What links good governance to personal self-discipline* How yogic ideas inspired anti-colonial resistance politics* Why texts tell haṭha yogis to find well-governed lands* Whether sun salutations are yogic or martial artsWe also talk about this film from 1928, in which the Raja of Aundh promotes sun salutations (as discussed in this article). You can find out more about Sunila's work here, and Christian's here – both are professors at the University of Washington.

How do people cope with uncertainty? What differentiates ways of predicting the future from scientific study of patterns – be that in epidemiology or forecasting weather? Might techniques of divination reveal as much about the past and the present as what happens next?Michelle Aroney is a historian at Magdalen College, Oxford, and co-curator – with David Zeitlyn – of an exhibition at the Bodleian Library titled “Oracles, Omens and Answers”. As we discuss, there are fascinating links between modern sciences and older approaches – particularly astrology. Yet we also examine what distinguishes their methods, and how different cultures do similar things.The exhibition focuses more on social function than predictive accuracy – though it does say all systems have limits. You can find out more in an accompanying book that covers two dozen disciplines – or see recent articles by the co-authors here and here. Michelle also posts on X, and the Bodleian Library shares pictures on Instagram.

How can we address global problems – such as catastrophic climate change – when individual actions make very little difference? What's the right thing to do when there aren't easy answers? Is it wrong to do nothing? Is everything relative, or are there better ways to think about solutions?As Travis Rieder writes in Catastrophe Ethics, we need our own frameworks for making decisions. Two common pitfalls can get in the way. One highlights universal rules and the other is averse to them. To avoid being distracted by either, we need to think for ourselves about right and wrong, inspired by ideas drawn from moral philosophy.Our conversation explores how this works to make life meaningful. In the process, we talk about illusions of purity, the need to find reasons to justify actions and the value of “doing our part” – however limited it may be – to minimise harm. We also reflect on life's inevitable compromises, the complicated ethics of creating new people, and why personal integrity means being transparent not wearing a hair-shirt.Travis works as a professor at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. He's also the author of In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids, which expands on a TED talk about his experience.

What does it mean to be human, and how can one access one's innermost self? Robert Rowland Smith writes popular books about practical philosophy, including a memoir that discusses what he's learned from his relationships – as well as a career as an Oxford don, a strategic adviser and a personal coach, among other things…Our conversation explores the extent to which people can change, and how to get attuned to an inner alarm that reveals when it's necessary. We also talk about intuitive ways of knowing, the role of fate and how inherited patterns shape our lives. Along the way, we consider the importance of facing mortality, why it might be scary to experience awakening and how to find purpose by asking good questions.If you'd like to learn more about Robert's approach – including family constellations – he's running an online “retreat” from January 5 (available on-demand at other times). He's also co-host of regular philosophy slams, where he and Mark Vernon respond to audience prompts with impromptu ideas.

"What are we doing wrong that requires us all to be so resilient so often?” That's the basic question that frames a new book by Elliot Cohen. The Psychology of Slow Living investigates ways to avoid being frazzled by a culture of urgency fuelled by quests for instant gratification via digital technology and overconsumption.Drawing on ideas from Buddhist, Hindu, Daoist and Jewish traditions – as well as social psychology – the book explores how to slow down from a range of perspectives. It warns against seeking quick fixes, but highlights the value of meditative practice, communion with nature and social rituals, from tea ceremonies to the Sabbath.We also talk about the mental effects of surroundings – from the impact of urban environments to natural examples of living with balance. In the process, Elliot cites teachings on the “usefulness of uselessness”, promoting some renouncing without dropping out. You can find out more about his research here.

What if the text known as the Yoga Sūtra never existed – at least not to start with? Philipp Maas is a scholar of Patañjali's yoga, whose work suggests its teachings were originally transmitted as part of a larger philosophical text with explanations.We discuss how this accompanying commentary (bhāṣya) interprets the sūtras, and reflect on the broader significance of studying history for modern practitioners. We also consider the distance in time and space between yogic texts and their uses today. Among other topics, our conversation explores:* The evidence for Philipp's conclusions on Patañjali* What studying another culture reveals about our own* Whether scholars of yoga ought to practise its methods* The risks of colonising history for political purposes* Recent critical comments by Shyam RanganathanYou can find out more about Philipp's research at academia.edu, where his work is downloadable (free registration needed). This recent overview is a helpful place to start. It covers much of what we discuss, including several layers of commentary.

What do Heinrich Himmler and Mohandas Gandhi have in common? Both were inspired by the Bhagavad Gītā. As Dorothy Figueira explains, what they found in it were mental projections. So Gandhi saw promotion of non-violence, while Himmler thought it justified killing for an avatar of God called Adolf Hitler.These interpretations – among many others – are the subject of Dorothy's recent book, The Afterlives of the Bhagavad Gītā. As a scholar of religion and comparative literature, she shows how modern translations are often more revealing of their authors' ideas than the texts they engage with.With the Gītā, there are so many readings that it's difficult to summarise where they diverge. Our conversation discusses the “decadence”, as Dorothy terms it, of Western seekers such as Allen Ginsberg. She contrasts this with meticulous colonial scholars and use of the Gītā by Indian nationalists. Detached from commentaries, it proved politically malleable, serving to justify many positions.Some of the most shocking continue to resonate. The Nazi Gītā is resurgent online, via the writings of a European woman known as “Savitri Devi”. Although Dorothy laments these distortions, her general advice is to accept the existence of multiple readings, and to explore them open-mindedly to counteract dogma. She works as a professor at the University of Georgia.

A shift in focus for the podcast this week to discuss a new book by Richard Seymour. Subtitled “The Downfall of Liberal Civilization”, Disaster Nationalism investigates “a struggle for our collective soul”, along with the psychology of far-right movements.As Richard warns, these can take many forms – including the perversion of liberal and leftist agendas into authoritarianism. “There is a fascist temptation for everyone,” he writes: “we all have our jackboots.” Rather than focusing on charismatic leaders, as if defeating them might solve the problem, he highlights the trends and tendencies that they exploit, and in the process suggests how to counter them.Richard used to blog as “lenin”, so we start by discussing his political perspective, then explore other topics from living with purpose to the limits of materialism. He's the author of multiple books, and a co-founder of Salvage, “a bi-annual journal of revolutionary arts and letters”, which “recognises that the catastrophe is already upon us and that the decisive struggle is over what to do with the remains.”

Is prāṇāyāma the same thing as breath-work? Both labels are commonly used to teach similar techniques. They're also increasingly hard to distinguish, because of ongoing changes in methods and objectives. This conversation with Isabel Tew examines the overlaps as well as distinctions between modern systems.Isabel started with yoga, which made her curious about prāṇāyāma – a much older form of practice than sequences of postures. However, she's also explored modern breath-work, and some of its teachings are part of her Breath Cards (published on October 29), which present daily “practices for calm, clarity and renewal”.Together, we reflect on a shift in yogic priorities towards well-being, as opposed to ancient goals of renouncing the world. That helps to blur boundaries between East and West, leading teachers of yoga to draw inspiration from non-yogic sources (for historical details, see this recent article by Magdalena Kraler).As we discuss, most contemporary approaches focus on healing in some way which has parallels with earlier frameworks of transcending suffering. For an accessible overview of prāṇāyāma history, try this talk at truthofyoga.com.

This is a different sort of podcast, featuring interviews I did half my life ago. I originally planned to make a radio documentary, but the audio wound up on MiniDiscs gathering dust.In 2001, I was a foreign correspondent searching for answers. I hoped I might find some in India at the world's biggest gathering – the Mahā Kumbha Melā, where the Ganges meets the Yamuna. I talked to a wide range of people, asking Westerners what had inspired their journeys Eastward.Looking back, I've made one myself – from drug-fuelled confusion to writing a book about yoga philosophy, and a career as a teacher. My younger self had other ideas – he tried to emulate the Melā by staging a festival on Big War Island in Belgrade. However, listening to these chats, I can hear a few echoes of what was to come – plus repeated indications of much still to learn…The first conversation is with Scott McNamara, an American disciple of the yogi “Pilot Baba”. The second is with Susan Shumsky, who learned to meditate with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, then turned to “New Thought” – better known today as “manifesting” – whose positive psychology infuses modern yoga.I'm still unsure about the documentary prospects – not least since I don't work in radio, or know where to start. I also have mixed feelings about the discussions, as the podcast explains. If you have any thoughts in response, please get in touch!

What might it look like to live in a world that combines ancient wisdom with newer ideas about sustainable development? In his recent book Politics of Being, the social scientist Thomas Legrand explores the potential for shifts in perspective that could help us to face converging challenges.At the heart of his vision is an inner transformation, rejecting a paradigm that fuels separation while awakening values that promote collective consciousness. Although this is rooted in a spiritual worldview, Thomas says it's more about human ideals of freedom, virtue, truth and understanding – plus peace, love and happiness.We discuss how his agenda for action goes beyond the personal by looking at life in relational terms. Recognising interconnection leads to more holistic policies, which Thomas describes using real-life examples. However, we also reflect on obstacles to change – from entrenched vested interests to the underlying craving that drives an economy addicted to growth.Click here to download an excerpt from Politics of Being, or find out more via social media (he's on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn). Thomas also writes a Substack newsletter, and currently works with the Conscious Food Systems Alliance, convened by the United Nations Development Programme.

Why is “light” used as a metaphor for “good”, while “dark” means “bad”? How does that blind us and what might we do about it? As Mariana Alessandri writes in Night Vision, difficult feelings such as anger, sorrow, grief, depression and anxiety can be sources of knowledge, so we need to embrace them as part of humanity.Her book is not a gloom manifesto. Instead, it seeks to clarify why we feel bad about feeling bad. This is an outcome of social pressure to look on the bright side, so telling each other “don't worry, be happy” causes shame. As a philosopher, Mariana explains that the problem has ancient roots, which are entangled with positive thinking. She also highlights alternative sources with more helpful messages.Our conversation explores practicalities, including how to strike a balance between acceptance and change – both individually and as a society. We touch on overlaps with yoga, such as the fusion of older ideas with Western “New Thought” (whose original “mind cure” shapes modern-day “manifesting”). And we consider ways of seeing beyond dark and light to more diverse perspectives.Night Vision is out now in paperback, ebook and audio – it's engagingly written, but with scholarly rigour. For a taste of Mariana's work, try this New York Times essay on the children's TV host Fred Rogers, whose “belief that we should validate emotions, not suppress them, is wisdom for all ages”.

How did Westerners first get involved with Eastern teachers, and is the age of the guru now over? In his latest book, The Nirvana Express, Mick Brown presents a colourful cast of seekers, writers, mystics, tricksters and chancers – he reveals people's flaws without obscuring the sincerity of spiritual quests.Alongside portraits of better-known subjects, from Vivekananda and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to Rajneesh, Mick notes the influence of Western occultists, and early interest in Ramana Maharshi – an exemplary sage who inspired The Razor's Edge by Somerset Maugham and A Search in Secret India by Paul Brunton.Our conversation explores the significance of these stories, alongside others from an earlier book, The Spiritual Tourist, which recounts Mick's engagement with mystical teachers. In his day job, he works as a journalist – reporting in detail on guru abuses – so we talk about the value of critical thinking, while considering the merits of genuine teachers, who can only awaken what's found in oneself.

How does someone heal an addictive mind? Matthew Hahn is a co-founder of Recovery Dharma, which uses Buddhist methods to overcome addictions. He also contributes to the Boundless Freedom Project, teaching mindfulness, ethics and compassion to people in prison and on their return to the outside world.Our conversation explores how Buddhist principles and practices empower those in recovery to find inner wisdom. We consider how this differs from “12 step” approaches, which enlist the help of God, while noting the importance of community to both. Another part of Matthew's work is to advocate for changes in carceral policy that make transformation more widely accessible.These commitments grew out of his experiences, both as an addict and convicted felon. Matthew has been sober since 2005, but his earlier escapades earned him ten years in prison. That story is worth a whole podcast in itself (see this episode of How to Human for a fuller exploration). Put simply, his life turned around after stealing a safe, and his response to what he found inside reduced his sentence.Matthew describes his own recovery in this essay, included in the second edition of Recovery Dharma, which is available for free download here. He posts on Instagram, TikTok and X / Twitter with the handle @hahnscratch.

What can we learn from over 2,000 years of fascination with the East? Chris Harding explores this question in The Light of Asia – a book that shares its title with a poem about the Buddha from the nineteenth century. His focus is on characters whose personal engagement with Asian traditions shaped Western perceptions.Our conversation reflects on the impact of efforts to reconcile different viewpoints. Does one way of seeing predominate? What guards against cherry-picking? Among many other topics, we also consider:* The early influence of Jesuits in spreading ideas* Alan Watts as a priest, blurring multiple boundaries* Bede Griffiths and inter-religious experiments in India* The importance of community to spiritual practice* What it might mean to “decolonise philosophy”Chris is a cultural historian at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in modern India and Japan. He contributes regularly to the BBC, and a range of publications, including Aeon and Unherd. He is also the author of IlluminAsia.

Does yoga really mean union? As Zoë Slatoff explains in this fascinating chat about philosophy and Sanskrit, the simplest answer is probably “sometimes”…Zoë's PhD explores how yoga became entangled with non-dual Vedānta, blurring distinctions between the two systems. One important catalyst was the popularity of physical practice, whose aims were framed in terms of oneness. So gnostic teachers adapted its methods, which were slowly combined with Patañjali's yoga.We discuss how this happened through the prism of a text the studied (called the Aparokṣānubhūti, on which more here). And since Zoë is also the author of a Sanskrit textbook for yoga practitioners, we talk about the challenges – as well as the pleasures – of learning the language. Even just a little bit can make a big difference.Zoë has practised yoga since the 1990s, teaching it for much of that time. She's now a professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and offers online courses in Sanskrit via the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

Who are we really, beyond our ideas about ourselves and the world? After more than half a century as a Buddhist practitioner, Kamalashila (Anthony Matthews) reflects on his life and impending death – he was recently told he had four months to live.As he wrote back in April: “What is happening to me happens to everyone and it will happen to you, so think about that too and practice some dharma.” Our conversation explores what this means from a range of perspectives, drawing inspiration from a lifetime of inquiry. Among many other topics, we discuss:* His early experience of insight through LSD* Encountering Buddhism and meeting his teacher* The benefits of celibacy and living off-grid as a hermit* Some of the drawbacks to “Western Buddhism”* Fear of death, and how to alleviate itIn passing, we mention an essay by Kamalashila (“My Dharma Life”, posted here), and criticisms of his teacher, Sangharakshita (on which more here). There's an overview of Triratna, formerly the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, on his website. And if you've never heard of Suella Braverman, here's some context.

What makes people wary of getting immersed in the Bhagavad Gītā? To start with, it's set in a war zone, where God issues edicts to kill and upholds social hierarchy. Yet its message is also inspiring, making yoga compatible with everyday life, and developing a loving awareness that sees all beings equally.This podcast with Hari-kirtana das explores his new book on the Gītā's teachings, which is subtitled A Guide to Exploring Timeless Principles of Transcendental Knowledge and Integrating Them Into Your Life. As we discuss, how we interpret the text depends on our worldview. Although it features a personal God, is devotion mandatory?In addressing this question, we consider distinctions between subjective experience and objective facts, and the extent to which religion is compatible with different ways of seeing. We also talk about historical misconduct in devotional lineages, and how the Gītā counteracts misguided thinking.Finally, we ask whether some of its passages might need ignoring – instead of trying to update them with more palatable readings – or whether cherry-picking undermines the text. For more from Hari-kirtana, follow him on Instagram or YouTube.

What makes for good translations from an old language? For Suhas Mahesh and Anusha Rao – co-editors of How to Love in Sanskrit – it's “a game of compromise”. Rather than fixating on “excessive attention to irrelevant detail”, they focus instead on making words come alive. So a female lament from 2,000 years ago becomes: “Dear God, make him hang out with other women more. He does not seem to realise what a catch I am.”This is a rich conversation about life in general, not just linguistics. We talk about why monks write love poems, the pitfalls of marrying academics, and all sorts of other topics, including:* What to look for when choosing translations.* The extent to which Sanskrit is a living language.* Where to find advice on love beyond the Kāma Sūtra.* Whether some ancient words are untranslatable.* Why Rumi quotes are rarely what they seem.Indian readers can buy the book here – or try here if you're in the U.K., or here in the U.S. You can also email Suhas here and Anusha here if you have any suggestions for future translations – they're already at work on the next compilation.

Which qualities might help us to thrive In a turbulent world? For Elizabeth Oldfield – who hosts a podcast called The Sacred – the key is to prioritise values that bring us together and strengthen relationships."I want to be growing into faith, hope and love – not out of them," she explains in this discussion about her new book, titled Fully Alive. Its framework for moulding one's character might sound surprising – the seven deadly sins. However, as Elizabeth clarifies, the point is to rethink "sins" as unhelpful tendencies blocking connection, which leads to a focus on developing their opposites.Our conversation explores a number of overlaps with yoga philosophy, as well as other traditions of timeless wisdom. To consider these parallels in more depth, join me for an online course at truthofyoga.com.

What was haṭha yoga before it meant postures?As the scholar Jason Birch explains, medieval yogis used a three-part sequence of physical methods to raise vital energy and empty their minds (video here). Their ultimate goal was transcendence of death.Our conversation discusses Jason's book, The Amaraugha and Amaraughaprabodha of Gorakṣanātha: The Genesis of Haṭha and Rājayoga. We also explore other questions, including:• What might practitioners learn from this system, and other recent findings?• Is haṭha yoga needed for liberating insights? What does it mean to become immortal?• Are the subtle components of yogic anatomy always involved? Do different approaches reach similar goals?• Is academic work informed by practice, or are the two separate?

What does it mean to “study” yoga, rather than “practise”? The two aren't mutually exclusive, explains Amy Landry, who's hosting a series of online discussions on how to combine them. The Study Yoga summit runs live from April 29 to May 3, with replays available. There are more than a dozen contributors – one of whom is me – and the interviews are shaped by Amy's extensive experience as a teacher and practitioner of yoga and other Indian disciplines, including classical dance and Āyurveda.Amy also hosts a podcast called Living in Alignment, which weaves together wisdom for everyday life based on yogic inquiry. We talk about this and her forthcoming book, as well as the transformative power of knowledge in various forms – from scholarly research to experiential insight. Join me to explore these themes in an online immersion in early Upaniṣads. It runs live from April 29 to May 26, with Q&As on Sundays.To support Ancient Futures, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

When John Donne wrote “no man is an island”, his alternative was to be “involved in mankind”. Francesca Ferrando has broader ideas. As a philosopher and “leading voice in the field of posthuman studies”, Francesca's aim is to get us to think in terms of life.The Art of Being Posthuman – Francesca's new book – is a string of meditations about how to do this. Our conversation considers connections with Indian traditions, and in the process discusses (among other topics):* Why life is diverse, non-hierarchical and interdependent* Why humanity is more about relationships than individuals* Why people can't say what they want, or how much is enough* How it helps to embrace the maxim: “my life is my work of art”* Whether life is a game, and if so how to play it successfullyTo explore some of the overlaps between "posthuman" thinking and yogic traditions, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com. An Upaniṣads immersion starts on April 29.And if you'd like to support the podcast, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

A different sort of podcast this week – the recording of a panel at the Oxford Literary Festival. The topic is "Religion and Animal Welfare", based on a book by the former chief executive in Compassion in World Farming, Joyce D'Silva.I shared some yogic perspectives on non-harming, speaking between Amir Khan – a wildlife advocate, broadcaster and Muslim – and the former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton.I've since become a signatory of the CIWF Vision for Fair Food and Farming, which I recommend reading. We also talked about the Charter for Compassion – see here for more details.To explore how yogic traditions relate to modern life, and alleviate suffering, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com. And if you'd like to support the podcast, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Yoga philosophy deals with three kinds of pain. These relate to ourselves, to how we interact with others, and to powerful forces beyond our control. This podcast engages with all of them, and highlights communal approaches to healing.Matthew Green works as an editor for DeSmog, an investigative website. He also writes Resonant World, a newsletter about collective trauma, and Toxic Workplace Survival Guy, which offers advice on how to navigate challenging office environments.We talk about his transition from working in war zones to seeing how the world is a toxic environment, shaped by traumatised people and inhuman pressures. We also discuss a few remedies – including meditation and psychedelics, and other modalities used to treat trauma.To explore how yogic traditions relate to modern life, and alleviate suffering, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com. And if you'd like to support the podcast, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What's love got to do with a world in crisis? Everything, says Oren Jay Sofer in his new book, Your Heart Was Made for This. No matter how overwhelming things might seem, we can cultivate capacities that help us to respond with sensitivity and strength.Oren teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness and communication (the subject of his last book, Say What You Mean – which I found very helpful when running a men's group). We touch on all these topics in a wide-ranging chat about ways to awaken in everyday life, while also working to transform the world.Your Heart Was Made for This weaves personal stories with activist history to talk about techniques for relating more skilfully to one another, and to ourselves. In the process, it highlights 26 qualities from the Buddha's teachings, including practical guidance on how to develop them, and reflections on their links to social change.To explore some of the overlaps between Buddhism and yogic traditions, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com. And if you'd like to support the podcast, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Why do so many of us feel so exhausted these days? What can we do to avoid burning out, or to help us recover? Anna Schaffner is a scholar-turned-coach, whose new book is Exhausted: An A-Z for the Weary. It offers timeless inspiration, noting “we still have much to learn from the ancients, and from other cultures.” We talk about crossovers with yoga philosophy and Buddhist ideas, and in the process consider (among other topics):* Why there's so much social pressure to work too hard* What drives perfectionism, and why it's not always “bad”* How keeping busy helps people to bury unwanted feelings* Ways to focus on what we control and accept what we can't* The transformative power of enjoying a hobby, just for funIf you enjoy the conversation, and want to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What does it mean to make yoga accessible? Jivana Heyman first used the term when he started to train disabled teachers. But its significance is broader, pointing students towards something subtler – their own true nature beyond mind and body.As Jivana explains in his latest book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, that's a goal more aligned with traditional texts than performing contortions. But does it set the bar high to reveal the true self? And if it's found in all beings, does it also teach us universal values? Along the way, our conversation explores (among other topics):* The importance of ethics and peer support networks* If “yoga has always been political”, as a headline once said* Potential limits to arguing “if it's not accessible, it's not yoga”* Whether “cultural appropriation” is a helpful framework* The pros and cons of self-publishing for yoga authorsIf you enjoy the conversation, and want to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated, as I explained in a recent article! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What can we learn from an ancient text about war and peace, among the many other topics in the Mahābhārata? Or as a new adaptation puts it: “In times of division, how do we find wholeness? Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors? And how can we build a new world when we have nearly destroyed this one?”The production's co-author, Miriam Fernandes, also stars as a storyteller – a key role in the Mahābhārata's own story. It's been told and retold in many different forms over the centuries, and part of its appeal is that it leaves us with questions, inspiring us to think for ourselves what to do with its message.Among other topics, our conversation explores:* Why dharma – or doing the right thing – is “a slippery fish”* What this says about contemporary problems such as ecocide* How to end cycles of revenge in which both sides feel righteous* The extent to which fate and free will define human activity* Who gets edited out, and which themes are prioritisedLinks to resources discussed in the podcast are posted here. Meanwhile, stay tuned for a retreat based on the Mahābhārata – more news soon at danielsimpson.info.If you enjoy the conversation, and want to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

How do we relate to the problem of suffering? Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body (to quote Still Ill by The Smiths)? Are there ways to get more comfortably entangled, or is the answer to renounce all attachments?Ranju Roy and Dave Charlton have been practising yoga since the 1980s, and teaching together for 20 years. They're also co-authors of a book titled Embodying the Yoga Sūtra, sharing practical insights on yoga philosophy. Our conversation explores what they've learned about life in the process.One recurring theme is how things are connected, and yet not necessarily “all one”. As Ranju and Dave put it in their book: “two things remain two things. They are united only in the sense of being linked and it is in their interaction and relationship that there is yoga, not in them merging together inseparably.”If you enjoy the conversation, and want to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What are the benefits of studying yoga academically? Is critical thinking a practical obstacle? Are the two ways of seeing complementary? Expanding on a recent essay, I talk about these questions – among many others – with Graham Burns.Graham has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. He holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and wrote his thesis on the Vedic Upaniṣads. He also taught on the M.A. in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation, to which I contribute.As I explain in the introduction, I never imagined that I'd find myself doing that when Graham and I spoke at the start of this year. Back then, I didn't have a proper podcast, so I'm sharing it now for those who missed it. Among other topics, we discuss what we've learned from intellectual engagement with yoga, as well as from practice – and how to strike a balance between both perspectives.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What might yoga look like if it we weren't making shapes? As Mary Richards explains in Teach People, Not Poses, the purpose of practice is self-inquiry, so one way to start is by getting more familiar with physical form, instead of contorting to follow instructions.Mary's approach is down-to-earth, yet shaped by decades of study. A self-described “anatomy nerd”, she's also guided by philosophy, having first encountered yoga via the Bhagavad Gītā as a teenager. Among other topics, our conversation explores:* The extent to which everyone's body is different* How a fixation on postural alignment causes injury* Why many modern classes teach unhelpful methods* Which specific āsanas might be worth abandoning* Whether one-to-one teaching makes most sense* How physical practice unwinds mental issues* What it means to be the “Sith Lord of Yoga”Mary's book is published by Shambhala, and she's offering a webinar via Yogacampus (on January 26) that shares some techniques for getting grounded in gravity...I like how Mary call herself a facilitator. I'm doing more facilitation too – in the form of a men's group that starts on Sunday, and a philosophy immersion in February.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Yogic traditions often highlight non-harming (ahiṃsā), but to what extent is harm an inevitable part of worldly life? Is it more realistic to try to reduce it, or is anything short of removing it part of the problem? There are few easy answers…Christopher Miller is a scholar and practitioner. He's co-founder of the Arihanta Institute, which offers courses on Jain studies, and he's the author of a book entitled Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation, which investigates practices other than postures.Among other topics, our conversation explores:* How Jains perfect the precept of non-harming, and influence yoga* If it's better to promote being vegan, or to eat fewer animal products* Where harmoniums come from, and if the ukulele can raise kuṇḍalinī* Whether teaching prāṇāyāma in polluted environments is unhelpful* Ways in which critical thinking can complement yoga practiceChris is on Instagram @theyogaprofessor, and he's based in Switzerland, where I'll be teaching a retreat in July.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What might yoga philosophy look like if it was shaped by contemporary science? How compatible are cognitive therapies with traditional ideas about alleviating suffering?Isabel Dziobek is a professor of psychology at the Humboldt University of Berlin, and she's also a yoga teacher. As we discuss, there are no easy answers to these sorts of questions. Yogic teachings define the self differently to modern researchers, while attributing suffering to karmic effects that drive cycles of birth.The original aim of renouncing the world isn't most people's goal when they go to a yoga class, so teachers often reframe texts such as the Yoga Sūtra to make them align with today's priorities. Many fill in the gaps with New Age thinking. How might it work to start afresh, including ideas from psychology and neuroscience?Our conversation looks at ways to train teachers that highlight compassion. Although we draw a few tentative conclusions, we're both keen to explore this further, so please comment below to share your thoughts! And if you'd like to study texts and traditions in more depth, you can join me for a course at truthofyoga.com.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What's the purpose of yoga and where does it lead?

What does it mean to live a yogic life in the twenty-first century? Alex Medin runs Nøsen, a Norwegian retreat centre, which hosts an annual yoga festival, and is part of a programme that rehabilitates former prisoners and drug addicts.Alex doesn't do things by halves. He's studied yoga and Sanskrit academically, as well as exploring physical practice to advanced levels. He's also lived in India for extended periods, where he was certified to teach Ashtanga by K. Pattabhi Jois. And before he found yoga, Alex was a boxer and breakdancer, who earlier dabbled in crime.Our conversation explores these topics, including asking awkward questions about the extent to which yoga can change us – and the values we need to prioritise if that's to happen. It's therefore a chat about worldly approaches, from ethical conduct to deeper relationships, with the development of love as the ultimate goal.I'll also cover these themes with a men's group in November (called Power to Relate), and I'll be teaching in Nøsen next year – stay tuned for news via danielsimpson.info.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What helps people to cope with traumatic events that can sometimes accompany altered states? Jules Evans researches this question for the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project. He's also the author of books about Stoic philosophy, ecstatic transcendence and strategies for navigating “spiritual emergency”.That term covers all sorts of crises, not just those arising from psychedelics. People get into difficulties while meditating and practising yoga. In this wide-ranging chat, we explore:* How a bad trip on acid led to years of anxiety that made Jules feel broken* Why cognitive behavioural therapy led him to write about Stoic philosophy* What inspired him to try Ayahuasca despite his earlier traumatic experience* Why he no longer takes psychedelics and focuses instead on helping others* What causes spiritual emergencies and why it's helpful to talk about them* How understanding the balance of risks and rewards makes people saferYou can find out more about Jules's work here, or subscribe to his Substack, Ecstatic Integration, for regular updates on his project's research. He also covers broader topics – including the links between Aldous Huxley, spiritual eugenics and Silicon Valley…If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Ade Belcham used to think it was obvious that yoga was good for him – until he got a hip replacement in his early 50s. That made him ask some searching questions, which he explored in a recent article for Spectrum, the British Wheel of Yoga magazine.For the previous two decades, Ade was a devoted Ashtanga practitioner, studying regularly in Hawaii with Nancy Gilgoff. And although he's reappraised some of what he was doing, he's not out to bash yoga or Ashtanga. Instead, he's been exploring the patterns – both physical and mental – that shaped his approach and led to injury.As we discuss, there are broader implications to people's motivations for practising yoga. Ade identifies five – connection with others, exercise, well-being, identity and transformation – and reflects that “injuries helped me see that I was mixing up yoga as exercise with yoga for identity building”.This raises questions about how yoga gets conflated with postures, which the podcast explores. We also talk about a general resistance to critical thinking in yoga circles, as well as what it means to be authentic – and why asking “why” is a helpful tool, which can keep people grounded in what really matters.If you enjoy this conversation, and would like to fuel others, please consider subscribing or buy me a virtual drink. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Peter Sterios, who founded the yoga mat company Manduka, keeps learning the lesson of how to let go. He's had to do that repeatedly – from selling his business to picking up the pieces when his teacher dismissed him. After 20 years of studying with Shandor Remete, the charismatic creator of Shadow Yoga, he was brusquely instructed to go it alone.Though this rupture was tough, it helped Peter move on, refining a subtler approach to the body that had helped him to heal after breaking his back. He sums up what he's learned in a book, titled Gravity and Grace – a conscious echo of the work of Simone Weil, whom he quotes at the start: “Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void.”Along the way, we explore how detachment relates to the business of running a company, and if yogic ideas about non-acquisitiveness are at odds with being an entrepreneur. Having said that, if you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What helps someone heal from traumatic experiences? How important is community support? Why might it be unhelpful to say “it wasn't your fault”? Can a “bruise on the soul” be more difficult to treat than a physical wound?Dean Yates is the author of Line in the Sand, a courageous account of “a life-changing journey through a body and a mind after trauma”, to quote the subtitle. Like me, he's a former Reuters journalist, and he was the bureau chief in Baghdad in 2007, when an American gunship killed two of his staff – Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh.Footage showing what happened, and how the military lied about it, was published by Wikileaks in 2010. This compounded Dean's “moral injury”, as he would later learn to call it. He felt guilt and shame for not protecting his colleagues, and for not speaking out in support of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. He also felt betrayed by Reuters, which tried to force him out when he got overwhelmed by trauma.As Dean explains, to turn things around, he had to learn how to feel – a challenge for a journalist who'd previously prided himself on not being emotional and thriving under pressure. Embodied techniques, including yoga, were helpful, but the key was to find a new purpose in helping others by sharing his story. He's now a passionate advocate on mental health issues, press freedom and government accountability.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing, or buy me a coffee. All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

How far can yoga heal “a deeply troubled society”? When Carol Horton published these words in 2012, she was optimistic, becoming immersed in “yoga service”. But her experiences have left her more sceptical.As we explore in this wide-ranging chat, yoga can still be a helpful resource, but the extent to which it changes us depends on intentions – including an interest in seeing past blind spots. It's also shaped by cultural context, so broader social and political trends sometimes get in the way of perceiving clearly.Carol is the author of two Substack newsletters – one about politics, which looks at the problem of authoritarian “post-liberal progressivism”, and the other about yoga and related practices, sharing “inspiration for resilience, growth and renewal.”If you'd like to discuss how yoga relates to worldly life, I'm running a retreat at the end of the month that explores this in depth – you can find out more here. And for online courses, visit truthofyoga.com.If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee. All donations are greatly appreciated! Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

It's now six months since I launched Ancient Futures. Back then, I didn't have a podcast, so the first conversation with Richard Rosen wound up on YouTube. I'm therefore sharing it again for those who missed it – it's in any case well worth revisiting.We discuss his new book, Yoga by the Numbers, and explore their significance – from zero to 108. We also have a great chat about the meaning of yoga in contemporary terms, as well as how its teachings relate to our lives – including facing the prospect of death.In other news, Richard used to contribute to Yoga Journal, about which I wrote last week – so be sure to subscribe on Substack for regular articles as well as podcast episodes.Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – donations are greatly appreciated! You can make one here as a subscriber, or buy me a coffee to fuel conversations. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Instead of an interview, this week I'm sharing a talk I gave on whether yoga is really a “path to holistic health”. It was part of a conference at the University of Wales, hosted jointly with the College of Medicine (whose chair is head of King Charles' “Royal Medical Household”).I went first and set the scene with a very brief history of medical yoga, which got quite lively in both the delivery and the Q&A afterwards (included in this episode). As a written introduction put it: "The body was originally an obstacle that had to be transcended for spiritual insight, so the therapeutic model was renouncing the world."Thankfully, that gradually changed over the centuries, so the talk unpacks the evolution of yoga as therapy, highlighting themes that inspire it today. Let me know what you think in the comments here – all questions are welcome!As I mention at the end of the talk, I'm hosting a retreat in the west of England at the end of August, where I'm going to be exploring these sorts of ideas in a practical way. You can find out more about that here.And finally, Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – so all donations are greatly appreciated, whether as a subscriber or by fuelling me with coffee. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Can anything be yoga? Or does everything crumble to dust if it's analysed hard enough?I recently discussed this – and much else besides – with Anya Foxen and Christa Kuberry, who co-wrote a book titled Is This Yoga? There are no simple answers, but asking the question can still be insightful – particularly since both authors are also practitioners. Along the way, we consider:* If yoga's roots are too knotted to distinguish lotuses from waterlilies* How Western traditions dating back to ancient Greece echo yogic ideas* Whether classes called “harmonic gymnastics” would attract any students* What might help modern yoga preserve a connection to Indic tradition* How to build a dating app combining Western and Vedic astrologyTo dive a bit deeper into texts and traditions, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com.Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – donations are greatly appreciated! You can make one here as a subscriber, or buy me a coffee to fuel conversations. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to keep a podcast going, year after year? J. Brown has been hosting Yoga Talks since 2015, so I thought I'd inquire! As J. admits, he likes stirring things up. His blog bills him as: “outspoken and sometimes controversial", and notes that his approach "has sparked broad discussions". This one is no less wide-ranging. Among other topics, we talk about:* The backlash to some of his episodes, and how he handles criticism* A shift away from polarisation to more harmonious forms of dialogue* What inspires his choice of guests, and his approach to yoga generally* Why he rejected his parents' religion, and found solace in practices* How he reconciles resistance to authority with embrace of a deitySeparately, there's still time to join me for my online course on the Yoga Sūtra “beyond eight limbs” – you can do that here.Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – donations are greatly appreciated! You can make one here as a subscriber, or buy me a coffee to fuel conversations. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe

Laura von Ostrowski is a scholar, and also a yoga teacher. As she explains in her book, there's a fundamental mismatch between the Yoga Sūtra's emphasis on physical transcendence and modern postural practice. Focusing in depth on Ashtanga Vinyasa, she investigates how boundaries get blurred. We discuss the implications for yoga philosophy, as well as its links to contemporary practice and everyday life. If we reinterpret texts to serve different priorities, should we really write new ones?To explore the Yoga Sūtra "beyond eight limbs", join me for a course at truthofyoga.com. Get full access to Ancient Futures at ancientfutures.substack.com/subscribe