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The Shifting Perceptions Podcast - Inspiration For Creative Lifestyles
Leave us a Review For most professional musicians, winning an Emmy Award and being Grammy-nominated would be the dream finish line of one's career. But for David Nichtern it's just another part of his journey. David — rightfully so, seems to take pride in his ability to not be too attached to labels and ego based accolades, but by no means has that stopped him from achieving at levels most would envy. Without giving away too much of his story, let's assign some labels to him anyway. In no specific order, our guest today is an author, a senior Buddhist teacher, a CEO, a business consultant to clients such as Goldman Sachs. He's a published composer, a producer, a professional guitarist. To add a little context, let me mention that David's recorded and jammed with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, and Paul Simon and written songs for the soap opera “One Life To Live” and his song “Midnight At The Oasis” became a mainstream classic. We got deep on this one. Really deep. We talked about some of my favorite topics including the importance of intention and awareness as spiritual beings, as well as creative process and life changing mile markers such as becoming a parent, making it as a and pivoting careers. More About David He was one of the original students of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche – a renowned Tibetan Buddhist meditation master who combined a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. At the apex of a diverse and prolific career, David has become the Founder and CEO of Dharma Moon – an online mindfulness-based education platform and global community. His team offers meditation training and meditation teacher training, life and career coaching, and creative and business incubation based on the principles from his most recent book and podcast, “Creativity, Spirituality & Making A Buck,” (published in 2019 by Wisdom Publications). Dharma Moon has been established to help people integrate and balance their creative expression with their spiritual practice and livelihood. David has been the Director of Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, Director of Buddhist Studies and Practice at OM Yoga Center (NYC), and Director of the Dharmadhatu Meditation Center in Los Angeles. He has created and taught meditation teacher trainer programs for OM yoga, Empowered Yoga, Kaia Yoga, Metrowest Yoga, Samar asa Center (LA), True Nature Yoga (Tokyo), and Journey Meditation. He has also been a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context – including Goldman Sachs, Balanced Athlete,and Journey Meditation, among many others. David is also the writer of “Awakening From the Daydream: Re-imagining The Buddha's Wheel of Life”, (released by Wisdom Publications in October, 2016). He has several online meditation workshops available through CreativeLive.com. David records for and periodically tours with Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das. Links & Resources: David's Website: https://davidnichtern.com/ Dharma Moon Website: https://www.dharmamoon.com/ David Nichtern on Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidnichtern David's Book: Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck Connect with Jay Alders Jay Alders Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Pinterest Connect with The Shifting Perceptions Podcast: Shifting Perceptions Website Join Our Mailing List Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Chelsea Alders & Companies Om Mamas Doulas Website Instagram Chelsea Om Mamas Doulas Sun Dreams Productions
David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher, an Emmy award winning/Grammy nominated musician, and a successful entrepreneur. He was one of the original students of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche – a renowned Tibetan Buddhist meditation master who combined a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. At the apex of a diverse and prolific career, David has become the Founder and CEO of Dharma Moon – an online mindfulness-based education platform and global community. His team offers meditation training and meditation teacher training, life and career coaching, and creative and business incubation based on the principles from his most recent book, “Creativity, Spirituality & Making A Buck,” (published in 2019 by Wisdom Publications). Dharma Moon has been established to help people integrate and balance their creative expression with their spiritual practice and livelihood. David has been the Director of Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, Director of Buddhist Studies and Practice at OM Yoga Center (NYC), and Director of the Dharmadhatu Meditation Center in Los Angeles. He has created and taught meditation teacher trainer programs for OM yoga, Empowered Yoga, Kaia Yoga, Metrowest Yoga, Samarasa Center (LA), True Nature Yoga (Tokyo), and Journey Meditation.
David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher, meditation guideand Emmy award winning composer and musician. David is a senior teacher in the lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism.David has been the Director of Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont (USA), Director of Buddhist Studies and Practice at OM Yoga Center (NYC), and Director of the Dharmadhatu Meditation Center in Los Angeles. He teaches meditation workshops and teacher training programs around the world and online, and also mentors individual students in person and via Skype. David has created and taught meditation teacher trainer programs for OM yoga, Empowered Yoga, Kaia Yoga, Metrowest Yoga, Samarasa Center, True Nature Yoga (Tokyo), and Journey Meditation. He has also been a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context – including including Balanced Athlete, Journey Meditation, The Center for Health & Healing, and Om Births, among others.He has been a featured writer and regular contributor to The Huffington Post. His book “Awakening From the Daydream: Re-imagining The Buddha's Wheel of Life”, was released by Wisdom Publications in October, 2016. David has several online meditation workshops available through CreativeLive.com.Nichtern is also a well known composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. He has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and TV, David wrote the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and composed the score for Christopher Guest's film “The Big Picture”. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album “Memories of Summer as a Child”, and has produced multiple records for and periodically tours with Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das.Be sure to check out David's latest book. You can buy it here.And his book Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha's Wheel of Life definitely needs a spot on your bookshelf.Follow David here:https://davidnichtern.comhttps://www.facebook.com/davidnichternI hope you enjoy my conversation with David Nichtern.With love,StuSupport the show (https://stuartwatkins.org/podcast/)
May 10th marks the powerful full moon of the year for Buddhists, called Wesak or "Buddha Day" to many, this day offers great potential to clear negative energy from the past 12 months, through contemplation, meditation and ritual. Dr. Kelly will start the show by discussing the importance of this full moon, its cultural significance and the types of rituals that one can engage in to clear energy. In honor of this important theme, Dr. Kelly has also decided to share the second installment of her series of inspiring, spiritual readings, this time from David Nichtern's "Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining Buddha's Wheel of Life" - This book offers a visionary fusion of western psychology of the self with Buddhist theory, and has been one of the formative books in Dr. Kelly's own spiritual Journey. She will read some passages on the wheel of life (Samsara) and offer commentary and contemplation. David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher, meditation guide and Emmy award winning composer and musician. Beginning in 1970, Nichtern became a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and was taught by the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Nichtern has since become a senior teacher.[2] Nichtern has been the Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training, and co-director of the Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont.[4]
May 10th marks the powerful full moon of the year for Buddhists, called Wesak or "Buddha Day" to many, this day offers great potential to clear negative energy from the past 12 months, through contemplation, meditation and ritual. Dr. Kelly will start the show by discussing the importance of this full moon, its cultural significance and the types of rituals that one can engage in to clear energy. In honor of this important theme, Dr. Kelly has also decided to share the second installment of her series of inspiring, spiritual readings, this time from David Nichtern's "Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining Buddha's Wheel of Life" - This book offers a visionary fusion of western psychology of the self with Buddhist theory, and has been one of the formative books in Dr. Kelly's own spiritual Journey. She will read some passages on the wheel of life (Samsara) and offer commentary and contemplation. David Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher, meditation guide and Emmy award winning composer and musician. Beginning in 1970, Nichtern became a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and was taught by the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Nichtern has since become a senior teacher.[2] Nichtern has been the Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training, and co-director of the Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont.[4]
Raghu is joined once again by musician, author, and teacher, David Nichtern. David chats with Raghu about his new book, “Awakening from the Daydream,” which reimagines the ancient Buddhist parables of the Wheel of Life and Samsara. David describes a few of the realms of Samsara and where we see them playing out in our world today. He also gives us practices to overcome these obstacles to our inner balance. This conversation about Buddhism is not one to be missed. Everyone can learn something, as David relates the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in a way that is accessible to anyone. “In each of these realms, the peace that you are talking about has been mistaken. You think the peace is, ‘ If I keep competing and keep getting to the top, then I will have peace.’ In The Hungry Ghost realm,’ If I keep consuming if I keep craving things that act will bring me peace.’ But it is exactly that act which keeps you from having peace.” – David Nichtern,Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha’s Wheel of Life More About David David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. David was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. David has been co-director of the LA Shambhala Center and Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, as well as Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training International and Director of Buddhist Practice and Study for OM yoga. He has been a featured writer and regular contributor to The Huffington Post and leads meditation workshops around the world and online. David also works individually with meditation students in person and via Skype. He does a weekly live broadcast on Ustream (via his Facebook page) and has several online meditation workshops available through creativeLIVE.com. His DVD/CD package OM YOGA & MEDITATION WORKSHOP, created in conjunction with yoga teacher Cyndi Lee, is widely available David Nichtern is also a well-known composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and tv, David wrote the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and composed the score for Christopher Guest’s film “The Big Picture”. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album “Memories of Summer as a Child” and has produced multiple records for Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das. For more conversation with David, listen to his last visit to the Mindrolling Podcast.
EPISODE NOTES NOTES Featuring Buddhist Teacher, Author, and Award Winning Musician David Nichtern Davids New Book: Awakening From The Daydream http://davidnichtern.com/awakening-from-the-daydream/ David will be teaching a workshop at Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health from Oct 16 to Oct 21st https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/awakening-daydream-meditating-wheel-life His course entitled "Creativity, Spirituality, and Making a Buck" is available on creativelive.com https://www.creativelive.com/courses/creativity-spirituality-making-buck-david-nichtern All music from the podcast is by David Nichtern Intro music: Thank Kevin from his album From Here to Nichternity Full song at the end of podcast: Moon of Tunis from his group The Beyman Brothers (with Christopher Guest) The young jazz piano prodigy that David mentions: http://joeyalexandermusic.com/ The young man that David and I pay tribute to at the end of the podcast: http://mrisaacallen.com/ David Nichtern Full Bio: David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. David was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. David has been co-director of the LA Shambhala Center and Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, as well as Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training International and Director of Buddhist Practice and Study for OM yoga. He has been a featured writer and regular contributor to The Huffington Post and leads meditation workshops around the world and online. David also works individually with meditation students in person and via Skype, and has created and taught meditation teacher trainer programs for OM yoga, Empowered Yoga, Kaia Yoga, Metrowest Yoga, True Nature Yoga (Tokyo), and Journey Meditation. He has also been a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context – including Balanced Athlete, Journey Meditation, The Center for Health & Healing, and Om Births, among others. His new book “Awakening From the Daydream: Re-imagining The Buddha's Wheel of Life”, will be released by Wisdom Publications on October 4, 2016. He has several online meditation workshops available through CreativeLive.com and a DVD/CD package OM YOGA & MEDITATION WORKSHOP, created in conjunction with yoga teacher Cyndi Lee. David Nichtern is also a well known composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and TV, David wrote the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and composed the score for Christopher Guest's film “The Big Picture”. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album “Memories of Summer as a Child”, and has produced multiple records for Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das as well as touring frequently as guitarist with KD over the last 10 years.
"Devotion is part of our nature, we love to be involved, we love to connect. This is the deepest connection a heart can make, this connection to deep devotion and unconditional love…” -Krishna Das Krishna Das and David Nichtern sit down for an interactive discussion on devotion, tapping into their experiences with both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, respectively. When it comes to devotion these two spiritual paths overlap is in the Vajrayana form, or tantric style of Buddhism, when a teacher appears in the form of a master/guru. This is seen to be extremely special as a focal point in practice, because they have accomplished what you yourself would like to accomplish. For even in the three refuges of Buddhism—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—the guru is considered the forth refuge. Krishna Das recounts how life-changing it was to experience the unconditional love that radiated from his guru, Neem Karoli Baba aka Maharaji, in India, and how slowly through just hanging out, Maharaji's presence opened their hearts. For some spiritual seekers who have had this physical experience of the guru, it’s an inspiration to see the possibility of someone exhibiting that kind of love, clarity, and timelessness, in person. David recounts his own experiences while pursuing the Buddhist path under the tutelage of Chogyam Trumpa Rinpoche, and the incredible lineage he's a part via his own personal practice. “The ring of devotion hitting the hook of the guru, the link you have to that being, in our tradition, is practice, therefore it is very, very important…the practice is the connection for us to individually continue to connect in that way, when we don’t have the luxury of knowing that kind of being in person…” At the end of this podcast, there’s a Q&A covering the following topics: -Does the spiritual path need a stage of darkness in order to attain a level of depth? -Not feeling an unconditional love connection with spiritual teacher/lineage. -The role devotion has played in Krishna Das’ singing. -Has Krishna Das found a way to love everyone, the way Neem Karoli Baba does? -The role of grace in Krishna Das’ spiritual life and how it has helped him to cultivate devotion. David Nichtern's Bio: David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. David was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. David has been co-director of the LA Shambhala Center and Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont, as well as Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training International and Director of Buddhist Practice and Study for OM yoga. He has been a featured writer and regular contributor to The Huffington Post and leads meditation workshops around the world and online. David also works individually with meditation students in person and via Skype. He does a weekly live broadcast on Ustream (via his Facebook page) and has several online meditation workshops available through creativeLIVE.com. His DVD/CD package OM YOGA & MEDITATION WORKSHOP, created in conjunction with yoga teacher Cyndi Lee, is widely available David Nichtern is also a well known composer, producer and guitarist – a four-time Emmy winner and a two-time Grammy nominee. He is the founder of Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. David has recorded and played with Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, Lana Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Paul Simon and many others. Among his many credits in records, film and tv, David wrote the classic song “Midnight at the Oasis” and composed the score for Christopher Guest’s film “The Big Picture”. As the Beyman Bros, he collaborated with Guest and CJ Vanston on an album “Memories of Summer as a Child” and has produced multiple records for Grammy nominated kirtan performer Krishna Das.