Podcasts about Sanskrit

In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores a fascinating question: What happens when we look beneath the physical practice of yoga and return to its deeper purpose? Beginning with the history of āsana, Amy traces how yoga postures evolved from simple meditation seats into the diverse practices we know today. Along the way, she examines the Tantric influence of the Śiva Saṃhitā, the rise of embodied awareness in modern somatic practices, and the importance of lived experience as a pathway to understanding ourselves more deeply. The episode invites listeners to consider how yoga therapy can serve as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary understandings of human experience, healing, and transformation.In this episode, Amy discusses:• The Sanskrit root of āsana and its original meaning as a seat or stable posture for meditation• The role of āsana in the Yoga Sūtras and why Patañjali devoted only a few verses to posture• The evolution of āsana through the Haṭha Yoga tradition, including the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā, and Śiva Saṃhitā• Why the Śiva Saṃhitā is considered one of the most Tantric of the major Haṭha Yoga texts• The concepts of prāṇa, nāḍīs, chakras, and kuṇḍalinī as experiential maps of human transformation• How modern somatic approaches emphasize interoception, self-awareness, and embodied regulation• The importance of first-hand lived experience in understanding consciousness and healing• The connection between lived experience, yoga therapy, and the study of consciousness• How Indigenous ways of knowing value observation, participation, relationship, and direct experience• Why lived experience may be one of the most important meeting points between yoga, science, and healingClosing ThoughtsOne of the enduring gifts of yoga is its invitation to investigate experience directly. Whether we approach that inquiry through Classical Yoga, Tantra, somatic practice, lived experience, or Indigenous wisdom traditions, each reminds us that transformation begins with attention. The path of yoga therapy is not simply about changing symptoms or improving function. It is also about learning to observe, inhabit, and understand our lived experience more fully. In doing so, we may discover that the body, breath, mind, and spirit have been teaching us all along.Contact Amy Wheeler:www.TheOptimalState.com Optimal State App for iPhone:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804 The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool

Days after narrowly surviving a catastrophic flood, meditation teacher Delson Armstrong joins Michael Taft to consider what remains when spiritual ideas fall away. Their conversation explores primal awareness, the spiritual ego, and Delson's forthcoming collection of Sanskrit aphorisms—a “love letter to the exhausted seeker” synthesizing Buddhism, Vedānta, Yoga, Sāṃkhya, and Tantra. They also discuss paraconsciousness, karma and divine play, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Śrī Vidyā and Lalitā, and the challenge of teaching with authority without taking the role of guru too seriously.Delson Armstrong is a meditation teacher whose work brings together Buddhist, yogic, and tantric traditions. A teacher of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation, he is known especially for his expertise in the jhānas and other deep meditative states. He is also authorized to teach all seven stages of Lahiri Mahasaya's Kriya Yoga and practices in the Śrī Vidyā and Trika lineages. Delson teaches internationally, offering retreats, workshops, and individual guidance focused on awakening, freedom from suffering, and translating ancient contemplative methods for modern practitioners.Learn more about Delson Armstrong here.You can support the creation of future episodes of this podcast by contributing through Patreon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailGet your notes app or a fresh piece of paper ready, because this conversation with former movie executive and tech entrepreneur Steven Puri took a turn into pure gold. We went so deep into the mechanics of productivity that we completely lost track of time—proving the exact focus concepts we were discussing! If you've ever felt like modern digital distractions are stealing your workday before you even get started, this episode is your ultimate antidote.In this episode, Steven and I dive into the neuroscience of focus, master-level time-boxing, and actionable dopamine management for nurse solopreneurs. We break down why getting into a flow state isn't just about willpower, but about building the right environment, audio cues, and routines to let your creative brain excel. Tune in to discover how you can transform a single hour of daily focus into monumental progress for your health writing business.About Steven PuriSteven is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM. After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.Steven's first tech company was Centropolis Effects that produced those CGI effects, and he eventually sold it to the German media conglomerate Das Werk when he was 28.Steven then produced some indie films and eventually went studio-side to develop and produce live-action features as a VP of Development & Production at 20th Century Fox (running the Die Hard and Wolverine franchises) and an EVP at DreamWorks Pictures for Kurtzman-Orci Productions (Star Trek 11, Transformers 1&2, Eagle Eye, Transformers: Prime, et al.).After Fox, Steven returned to building tech companies and had two failed start-ups before founding The Sukha Company – ‘sukha' means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment' in Sanskrit. The Sukha is a focus app that bundles all the tools necessary to enter into a Flow State and a have healthy, productive workday.Steven now lives in Austin, TX.Dopamine Management and Time-Boxing for Nurse WritersToday on the Savvy Scribe Podcast:Why modern tech platforms are intentionally engineered to steal your attention—and how to reclaim your life through effective dopamine managementWhat actually happens in your brain during a flow state, including fascinating neuroimaging findings from FMRI scans.How to conquer the “cold start problem” in the morning and stop reaching for quick digital hits when your work gets frustrating.Unforgettable stories from blockbuster Hollywood screenwriters on using physical environments and personal chronotypes as focus triggers.How a busy high school vice principal and dad used just one focused hour a night to complete his PhD dissertation.The brain science behind why your best ideas strike while doing laundry, walking, or taking a shower.How to harness time-boxing and Parkinson's Law to get more done in two hours than you used to get done all day.The surprising power of ambient audio triggers, from 60–90 BPM focus tracks to real Himalayan rain and Viennese coffee shop sounds.Steven's simple 30-day challenge that will completely transform your daily momentum before you even check your phone in the morning.Mentioned Resources:Sukha (Flow State AppFlow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiThe Net and the Butterfly: How to Unlock Your Inner Genius by Olivia Fox Cabane and Judah PollackWelcome to the Savvy Scribe Podcast, I'm so glad you're here! Before we start the show, if you're interested, we have a free Facebook group called "Savvy Nurse Writer Community"I appreciate you following me and listening today. I would LOVE for you to subscribe: ITUNESAnd if you love it, can I ask for a

From Gross to Subtle: The Journey of Ashtanga Yoga Practice In this episode, Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann explore the two ends of the yoga spectrum: the gross and the subtle, the dynamic and the still, the effortful and the refined. Ashtanga Yoga asks us to inhabit both worlds, jumping through, sweating, moving the body with strong discipline, and then turning inward, softening into breath, subtle sensation, and the quietude of mind. Drawing from Sanskrit roots and classical teachings, Kino and Tim explain how sthūla, gross or dense practice, and sūkṣma, subtle or refined practice, are not opposites but complementary gateways into yoga. They discuss how the foundational tools of the practice, āsana, prāṇāyāma, and dṛṣṭi, can carry practitioners from surface-level sensation toward deeper layers of awareness. The conversation unfolds around Patañjali's timeless definition of yoga, yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, the stilling of the mind's movements. Kino and Tim share stories, personal reflections, and practical lessons on balancing abhyāsa, steady practice, with vairāgya, letting go. Along the way, they remind us that contentment, santoṣa, is not resignation but a doorway into clarity, and that every choice plants seeds in the soil of karma. Whether through strong postures, subtle meditation, or the quiet discipline of daily practice, this talk invites us to see yoga as both gross and subtle, both active and still, always guiding us toward the inner horizon of awareness. Practice with Kino, Tim, and our global community on Omstars. Explore thousands of yoga classes, in-depth courses, live practices, meditation, prāṇāyāma, and more at Omstars.com.

You've probably heard that your ovaries age 2.5x times faster than the rest of your body. I went looking for that study. It does not exist. In this episode I trace that number back to an uncited supplement company blog post, and then I give you the one that is real: ovarian aging shows up 15 to 20 years earlier than in any other tissue in your body. Your ovaries are not a fertility organ. They are the organ that sets the pace for your bones, your heart, your brain and how long you live. This is the first episode built on my four pillars: Nourish, Stack, Live and Align. I also share what is changing behind the scenes, including my practice, my planner, and where this brand is going next. Work with me one on one as a women's longevity practitioner and holistic nutritionist: https://biohackingbrittany.com/pages/clients WHAT I COVER The 2.5x ovarian aging myth and where it actually came from Why the Stanford organ aging clocks never included an ovary Senescence and fibrosis: it is not that the seeds run out, it is that the soil goes hard Why less than 2 percent of venture funding goes to women's health, and 90 percent of that goes to fertility Your full lab panel: AMH by age, antral follicle count, day 3 FSH and estradiol Why AMH does not predict whether you will get pregnant this month The birth control trap: if you are on hormonal contraception your AMH is wrong by 14 to 55 percent PMOS and why a high AMH is not extra time Cysts: functional, hemorrhagic, dermoids, and why the pill does not shrink one you already have Endometriomas, and what cystectomy actually costs your ovarian reserve Premature ovarian insufficiency, the 2024 criteria change, and why POI is not early menopause What the food research does and does not support CoQ10, melatonin, inositol, DHEA, vitamin D, NMN and omega 3, ranked by real human evidence Rapamycin, the VIBRANT trial, and ovarian tissue freezing The pelvic bowl in the classical Sanskrit text, and what it actually describes Jing, Tian Gui, and how Chinese medicine predicted the end of fertility at 49 How misalignment shows up in the body, and the guardrail I insist on Why clinical hypnosis is the woo that actually works TIMESTAMPS 08:03 The 2.5x ovarian aging myth, and what is actually true 13:23 Your ovaries are an endocrine organ, not a fertility organ 19:54 The labs to run, and AMH by age 23:55 If you are on birth control, your AMH is wrong 28:03 Cysts, dermoids, and what the pill does not do 32:24 Endometriomas and what surgery costs your ovarian reserve 34:20 Premature ovarian insufficiency 36:43 Nourish and Stack: food, CoQ10, melatonin, inositol, NMN 47:06 Rapamycin and ovarian tissue freezing 49:22 Align: the pelvic bowl, Chinese medicine, and how misalignment shows up 1:00:18 Clinical hypnosis, and my full protocol MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 1:1 client consults: https://biohackingbrittany.com/pages/clients The LongHer Life community, where this was recorded live: https://biohackingbrittany.com/pages/longherlife Her Stack Planner: https://biohackingbrittany.com/products/her-stack-planner Shop: https://biohackingbrittany.com/collections/shop Questions for the next live Q&A: info@biohackingbrittany.com CONNECT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackingbrittany/ Website: https://biohackingbrittany.com This episode is for education only and is not medical advice.

Are You Experiencing THE SHIFT? Signs of Spiritual and 5D Consciousness include ascension symptoms, energy upgrades, synchronicities, heightened intuition, and the transition from 3D to 5D awareness. Lear practical ways to ground, integrate, and navigate these powerful energies as humanity enters a new chapter of consciousness. Maybe your sleep patterns have changed. Your intuition is stronger. Time seems to be speeding up. You're experiencing unusual energy sensations, vivid dreams, synchronicities, or emotional releases. Perhaps you're questioning old ways of living and finding yourself naturally drawn toward people who seem to resonate with your new frequency. If so, you may be experiencing what many spiritual traditions describe as The Shift—a profound transformation in individual and collective consciousness. #free #podcast #astrology #SpiritualAwakening #TheShift #Ascension #5DConsciousness #EnergyUpgrade #SpiritualAwakening2026 #ConsciousnessShift #AscensionSymptoms #HigherConsciousness #Synchronicity #Intuition #5D #NewEarth #2026Astrology #JillJardine #CosmicScene In this episode of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, Jill explores the signs of spiritual awakening, ascension, energy upgrades, and the movement toward 5D consciousness, along with practical tools to help you navigate the process. Jill brings more than three decades of experience as an astrologer, hypnotherapist, psychic healer, and spiritual teacher to this fascinating exploration of what may be happening energetically on Earth right now. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on the Shift. An extraordinary astrological configuration unfolded during July 2026, when Neptune, Pluto, Uranus, and Jupiter formed a powerful pattern at approximately 4 degrees of Aries, Aquarius, Gemini, and Leo. Rather than simply calling this a "portal," Jill describes it as a portal of possibility and potentiality—an energetic opening that may accelerate personal and collective evolution. Jill explains why you may have been feeling these energies months or even years before the July 2026 activation. Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 to hear more astrological updates! https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. 12 Signs You May be Experiencing the Shift: Changes in sleep patterns Waking around 3–4 AM Waves of fatigue followed by bursts of inspiration Tingling, vibrations, warmth, pressure, or energy surges Heightened sensitivity to people, environments, sounds, or foods Vivid dreams and intuitive downloads Stronger intuition and knowing things before they happen A feeling that time is speeding up—or slowing down Increased synchronicities and meaningful coincidences Major changes in friendships and relationships Feeling drawn toward your "tribe" or soul connections A growing sense that something larger is happening within you Jill emphasizes that physical or emotional symptoms can have ordinary medical or lifestyle causes as well, and persistent or concerning symptoms should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. One of the central themes of this episode is the movement from third-dimensional consciousness toward fifth-dimensional awareness. Jill explores the contrast between: 3D consciousness Separation Fear Competition Scarcity External validation Material achievement and 5D consciousness Love Unity Compassion Collaboration Intuition Creativity Trust Inner peace Purpose and service The Shift isn't about leaving Earth or escaping ordinary life but a change in consciousness and the way we experience reality. Feeling overwhelmed by energetic changes? Jill shares practical ways to ground and integrate the experience: 1. Ground yourself in nature Walk barefoot on the Earth, sit against a tree, garden, or spend time near the ocean, rivers, lakes, or waterfalls. 2. Practice conscious breathing: Jill shares several breathing approaches, including a 4-count inhale, 4-count hold, and 8-count exhale. 3. Embrace stillness Turn down the external and internal noise and allow yourself simply to be. 4. Pay attention to your emotional state If you desire peace, consciously cultivate peaceful feelings. If you desire abundance, practice embodying the feeling of prosperity. 5. Practice forgiveness and gratitude Jill discusses the Hawaiian Ho'oponopono forgiveness prayer and the powerful connection between forgiveness, gratitude, and energetic release. 6. Trust your unique path Your perspective, gifts, and experiences may be part of what you are here to contribute during this period of transformation. 7. Love yourself deeply Jill shares the Sanskrit mantra Aham Prema — "I am Divine Love" and explores why she considers love one of the highest frequencies for navigating the Shift One of the most exciting aspects of the Shift is the increase in synchronicities. Thinking about someone just before they call? Finding exactly what you need at exactly the right moment? Repeatedly encountering meaningful symbols, numbers, people, or opportunities? Jill explores how these experiences may become more noticeable as your awareness expands. She also discusses relationship shifts, including releasing connections that no longer resonate and discovering people who feel like your true soul tribe. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who has been wondering, "Why do I feel so different lately?"  Featured Book: Order it now at:  www.jilljardine.com or Amazon Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration by Parashakti Jill Jardine ️ Subscribe to Jill's YouTube channel: @jilljardine2186  for monthly astrology forecasts, spiritual teachings, Sanskrit mantras, and intuitive guidance to help you navigate these extraordinary times. You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com/ #astrologypodcast #astrologyforecast 2026 #zodiacsigns If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist • Author Thank you for listening to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where astrology meets consciousness and the stars illuminate your path to personal and spiritual transformation Subscribe to @jilljardine2186 on YOUTUBE to get Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine and follow the podcast for astrology updates, spiritual teachings, energy activations, Sanskrit mantra wisdom, and conversations exploring the evolution of human consciousness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A practical guide to embodying the principles of “namaste” in everyday life“An appealing manual that offers encouraging methods for pursuing a happier and more connected life.”—Kirkus Reviews• Defines the meaning of “namaste” and explains how to apply it in daily interactions to build stronger communities• Offers practical strategies to develop self-awareness and compassion, foster deeper connections with others, and support mutual growth• Includes exercises, mindfulness meditations, and svadhyaya (“self-study”) practices to deepen personal growth and understandingNamaste is a Sanskrit greeting that means “I bow to the divine in you.” It has become a common phrase to say at the end of yoga classes, but as Jeremy Engels shows, “namaste” is more than a polite expression; it is a powerful principle for building connection and community.Engels organizes the practice of living namaste around three reminders—“I am divine,” “you are divine,” and “live the word, together”—noting that the significance of mindfulness and yoga practice is about remembering to return to a state of awareness, presence, and connection.The practical approach Engels offers in Living Namaste encourages self-awareness and empathy, cultivating gratitude, and treating one another with compassion to foster deeper connections and support mutual growth. Each of the three reminders is accompanied by exercises, mindfulness meditations, and svadhyaya (“self-study”) practices designed to help you apply these teachings to your daily life. By responding thoughtfully and with care to each other, rather than reactively, readers can form stronger, more supportive relationships, support each other's well-being, and contribute to healthier communities.Jeremy David Engels, PhD, is a cofounder and teacher at Yoga Lab, which offers science-based yoga and meditation classes that emphasize mindfulness and functional movement. He is a Liberal Arts Endowed Professor of Communication and Ethics at Penn State University and has written extensively on community-building, peace, and justice. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania.https://jeremydavidengels.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/earth-ancients--2790919/support.

“The machines today are like toddlers learning how to walk. They stumble. They're not very good. They make mistakes.” — Anmol Madan One in three American adults are already using AI for health information — with or without their doctors' permission. The machines, in other words, are already seeing us. This will chill some Americans in our summer of luddite discontent. For others, however, like the San Francisco-based medical tech entrepreneur Anmol Madan, the appearance of doctor AI in our lives is mostly good news. In his new book, The Machines Will See You Now, Madan lays out what he calls a “human roadmap” to “autonomous health care.” I'm not entirely sure what he means by “human” in a Blade Runner-style world where machine and man are quickly merging. But by “autonomous,” which I suspect is a euphemism, Madan means artificial intelligence. What worries Madan about our current moment is the broken dialogue over AI. On the one hand, we have tech utopians promising a totally automated healthcare industry. Then we have an anxious establishment struggling to change America's archaic and often dysfunctional medical system. And, of course, American consumers (if that's the right word) who are already using ChatGPT or, more troublingly, TikTok, as their doctor. America spends $4.7 trillion on a healthcare industry which compares poorly with the medical systems of other wealthy countries. Madan's “parallel universe,” he promises, would cost half as much and double access. The machines will see you now. Like it or not, Dr AI is our all-too-human future. Five Takeaways •       One in Three Already Ask the Machines. The KFF poll behind the episode: a third of American adults already use AI for health information, with or without their doctors' blessing — and if they're not asking ChatGPT, they're asking TikTok. Madan's frustration is the broken dialogue between AI exuberance (“we're going to automate healthcare”) and medical anxiety, when the right answer is in between: new technology is no excuse for throwing out the guardrails of medical devices and clinical safety. The stakes are the brutal arithmetic of American medicine — $4.7 trillion spent for the worst outcomes among peer nations — and his “parallel universe”: half the cost, twice the access, delivered by AI systems that are tested, safe, and rigorous. Consumer appetite is already there; the safeguards are not.•       The Waymo Scale for Medicine. The book's organizing framework applies the self-driving industry's levels of autonomy to healthcare. Level zero is today: 99 percent of decisions — diagnosis, treatment, prescription — made by humans. Level one is doctor assistance, already deployed: radiologists who once hauled backpacks of reports now guided by machines to where to focus. Levels two and three ease machines into the lowest-stakes treatment and diagnostic decisions with human review — and the fully autonomous end state, Madan concedes, may never arrive. To Andrew's objection that Waymo's scale ended with the drivers removed, Madan offers the transatlantic pilot: autopilot flies ninety percent of the route, and nobody thinks the pilot doesn't matter. The structure, he argues, is what lets regulators, doctors, and builders finally talk about the same thing.•       Toddlers Learning to Walk. Madan's metaphor for today's medical AI: toddlers — stumbling, error-prone, needing layers of protection, and badly underestimated at their peril and ours. The mistake, he argues, is concluding that because the systems aren't perfect we shouldn't try them at all, when a constrained system is starving for capacity. Pressed by Andrew on what the machines will never do (“toddlers grow up”), his list is candid: human perception — reading body language, assessing the person who walks into the clinic — improves far more slowly than diagnostic reasoning and may never reach human capacity; and the relationships people form with chatbots, loneliness epidemic notwithstanding, have no literature yet showing they produce clinical outcomes like a human therapist's thirty minutes. Plus one asterisk on the machines' famous exam results: we grade them on human benchmarks, and machines fail differently than humans do.•       The Behavior-Change Trillion. Of America's $4.7 trillion, a full trillion is the behavior-change problem — the eating, drinking, smoking, and sitting that no pamphlet has ever fixed. Andrew's objection: nobody needs an MIT degree to know they should exercise, so why would a machine's nagging beat a doctor's? Madan's answer is the space between visits: patients leave the office motivated and fall off within days, and personalized systems — like those he built for tens of millions at his previous companies — learn what actually moves each individual: this one walks more but won't change diet, that one needs the stress addressed first, another needs the language and cultural register matched. Not one-size-fits-all “eat healthy,” but friction removed person by person, programmatically, at a scale no human workforce could staff. Andrew's rejoinder: in an age of ubiquitous AI slop, the exercise reminder may be deleted as exactly that.•       Priceless. On trust, Andrew invoked the neighbors: Slippery Sam Altman, the mistrusted AI giants, and entrepreneurs — RadiantGraph included — getting rich while asking for our bloodwork. Madan's counsel is unexpected caution: in the AI era all data matters, healthcare data most of all, and it belongs on healthcare-specific, HIPAA-bound platforms — not pasted into general chatbots. He concedes San Francisco's mansions-and-homelessness inequity (he advises New York City's Department of Public Health and wants to help at home), but defends the Bay Area as the place where the PC, the iPhone, the web, and now AI actually happened — Jeff Dean announced his next act the morning they recorded. And the bot test: how would he prove he's human? “I'm quite flawed, and I'm often wrong. An AI avatar of Anmol probably wouldn't be as wrong as I sometimes am.” Fittingly priceless — which is what Anmol means in Sanskrit. About the Guest Anmol Madan is a healthcare entrepreneur and computer scientist, and the founder and CEO of RadiantGraph, an AI platform helping health plans and healthcare organizations deliver proactive care. An MIT Media Lab PhD who worked on the first generation of wearables, he founded Ginger, the pioneering AI tele-psychiatry company later acquired by Headspace, and served as Chief Data Scientist at Livongo and as a data and AI executive at Teladoc Health. He advises the New York City Department of Public Health and lives in San Francisco. The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care (Johns Hopkins University Press, September 1, 2026) is his first book. References: •       The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care by Anmol Madan (Johns Hopkins University Press, September 1, 2026). Alex Pentland, MIT: “A critical read about AI in he...

This verse is indicative of Caitanya Mahāprabhu's teachings to Sanātana Gosvāmī. In fact, Caitanya Mahāprabhu quotes this verse when he is teaching Sanātana Gosvāmī, that the way in which one is attracted away from the material energy is by observing a devotee who is no longer interested in the material world. He quotes a verse from the Bhāgavatam—which I haven't memorized, but I'll give you the essence of it—when one comes to the end of one's material existence, then one meets a pure devotee of the Lord. Now, our ācāryas comment on that quite straightforwardly, and they're all in agreement. They say the purport of this verse is an indication of a poetical device in Sanskrit where you state the effect before the cause in order to emphasize something. In this case, it is saying that when you end your material existence, then you meet a pure devotee. What our ācāryas say is that's an emphasis that when you come anywhere close to meeting a Vaiṣṇava, then your material life is finished; it's a foregone conclusion, in other words. That's the emphasis given in the verse. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu gives that verse. He also offers this verse as well, and points out that this is the beginning of one's spiritual journey back to Kṛṣṇa, and we all know the famous extended metaphor that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu uses: brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja When one is wandering in the brahmāṇḍas—or as Prabhupāda says in other places, "loitering," which is worse than wandering, because in any case you have no real purpose; you're just hanging out. In that state, when you meet a Vaiṣṇava, then you get Kṛṣṇa, and from Kṛṣṇa you get the Vaiṣṇava, or vice versa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that the means by which one is awakened is by the devotee, and he says also that the devotees are like vaidyas; they are doctors that carry with them two things: one is hymns, and the other are instructions. In their little black bag, they hold out the hymns and the instructions, and by those, one can become cured of the material disease. The meaning of smearing one's body with dust, (rajo-'bhiṣekam means taking the dust and putting on on one's body) is to awaken to the realization that we are helpless without the instruction of Krishna that comes through the spiritual master. Prabhupada explains how a spiritual master means two things: one is it's a position and also a person. He would give the example that(17:57) ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------

Spiritual Awakening is Accelerating with guest Pamela Downes.  What if the chaos you're experiencing isn't happening to you—but is happening for your evolution? In this illuminating episode of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, Jill welcomes Pamela Downes, a multidimensional soul-body healer, trance channeler, spiritual guide, mother, entrepreneur, and former corporate leader whose own profound spiritual awakening ultimately led her to a completely new life path. Spirit Calling — Pamela Downs Pamela shares how her awakening unfolded, how she began experiencing clairvoyance and profound synchronicities, and how she eventually began trance channeling the Great Council of Light. #SpiritualAwakening #SpiritualAwakeningJourney #PamelaDowns #TranceChanneling #GreatCouncilOfLight Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on spiritual awakening Together, Jill and Pamela explore what may be happening for people who suddenly find themselves questioning their relationships, careers, identities, beliefs, and life direction. In this episode we explore:  Is this a spiritual awakening—or something else? Why spiritual awakening can feel like your life is falling apart The connection between the physical body and the spiritual or energetic body Why relationships and old identities may suddenly shift The importance of surrender, compassion, and grace during transformation How painful experiences can become catalysts for growth and expansion Recognizing your inner guidance and spiritual intelligence Clairvoyance, premonitions, synchronicities, and intuitive "knowings" Pamela's extraordinary spiritual awakening journey Her transformative experience with ayahuasca and plant medicine Soul-level and karmic clearing Activating dormant gifts, DNA, and light codes What Pamela describes as soul-body repair and activation How Pamela began communicating with the Great Council of Light What trance channeling is and how Pamela experiences it Messages from Yeshua/Jesus Galactic beings, multidimensional consciousness, and changing frequencies How spiritual teachers must experience their own transformation to serve others Why humanity may be experiencing a collective awakening Finding your purpose, dharma, and authentic path Learning to navigate major life changes from a higher perspective Pamela describes beginning her awakening by questioning the beliefs and assumptions she had inherited about life, spirituality, love, energy, and consciousness. As she explored meditation, Reiki, spirituality, past lives, energy healing, and her own intuitive abilities, she began experiencing increasingly powerful synchronicities, visions, dreams, clairvoyant experiences, and intuitive "knowings." Her journey eventually led to profound energetic experiences and what she describes as a major opening of her psychic abilities. From there, Pamela began receiving guidance from what she identifies as the Great Council of Light, eventually developing the ability to trance channel their messages. Pamela explains her experience of trance channeling as entering a meditative state in which she moves her consciousness aside and allows information and wisdom to come through. She describes receiving information telepathically and eventually allowing the energy she connects with to utilize her voice and physical body to communicate. She also discusses channeling experiences involving Yeshua, divine feminine beings, and galactic energies, as well as receiving downloads, visions, and guidance about her life's purpose. One of the central themes of this episode is the experience of being in aliminal space—the place between the life you once knew and the life that is emerging. As Jill and Pamela discuss, spiritual transformation doesn't always feel peaceful or glamorous. Sometimes it looks like: A relationship ending. A career changing. A loss of identity. A financial shift.A move. A sudden realization. Or simply knowing that you can no longer live the way you used to. Pamela's message is to meet these moments with compassion, grace, surrender, and trust while allowing the emotions to move through you. Near the end of the episode, Pamela shares a powerful message she says came through her connection with Yeshua: Return to love. She encourages listeners to examine what they're consuming, the conversations they're engaging in, the social media they're absorbing, and the energy they're putting into the world. Rather than fighting, controlling, or constantly positioning ourselves, Pamela encourages us to become more grounded in our own inner knowing and to see life from a higher perspective. Her message is ultimately one of unity, forgiveness, love, surrender, and remembering who you truly are. Pamela shares the idea that we are beautiful, powerful beings of light connected to all that is, and that part of our journey is learning to step away from ego and control so we can fully embody our purpose. Like a flower opening one petal at a time, our transformation unfolds according to its own divine timing. Spirit Calling — Pamela Downs Explore Pamela's spiritual community, Soul Path coaching, mastermind, healing work, and teachings. Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration, by Parashakti Jill Jardine Jill's book explores powerful Sanskrit mantras for raising consciousness, transformation, prosperity, protection, love, and liberation, along with her companion oracle cards. Jill Jardine's Website You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist • Author Thank you for listening to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where astrology meets consciousness and the stars illuminate your path to personal and spiritual transformation. #SpiritualAwakening #SpiritualAwakeningJourney  #TranceChanneling #GreatCouncilOfLight #SoulHealing #MultidimensionalHealing #SpiritualGuidance #PsychicAwakening #Clairvoyance #LightCodes #DNAActivation #HigherSelf #SoulPurpose #SpiritualTransformation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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August Horoscope 2026: Your Zodiac Sign's Lucky Days and Cosmic Predictions! August is one of the most dynamic astrological months of the year! The powerful Lionsgate Portal on August 8, major planetary shifts, and transformative lunation energy create opportunities for growth, manifestation, healing, and exciting new beginnings. #August2026Astrology #EclipseSeason #LeoSolarEclipse #PiscesLunarEclipse #LionsgatePortal Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 to hear more astrological updates! https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on August 2026 eclipses and astrology. Discover the spiritual significance of the Lionsgate Portal (8/8). In this episode of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, professional astrologer, psychic, and healer Parashakti Jill Jardine shares an in-depth horoscope for each zodiac sign, highlighting your greatest opportunities, challenges, and luckiest days throughout August. The major astrological themes shaping August 2026: The powerful energy of the Lionsgate Portal (8/8) Eclipse and lunation influences and how they affect each zodiac sign Love, relationships, romance, and social opportunities Career, money, and professional breakthroughs Spiritual growth, intuition, healing, and manifestation Aries A month of courage, creativity, and soul-level transformation. Saturn and Neptune retrograde challenge you to become your most authentic self while the Lionsgate Portal inspires bold new beginnings. Lucky Days: August 3, 4, 30 & 31 Taurus Behind-the-scenes healing leads to exciting creative opportunities as Virgo season encourages romance, joy, and self-expression. Lucky Days: August 5 & 6 Gemini Your words carry extra power this month. New conversations, brilliant ideas, and meaningful connections can open exciting doors. Lucky Days: August 8 & 9 Cancer Financial opportunities grow while Mars entering your sign gives you the motivation to take action and pursue your goals with confidence. Lucky Days: August 10 & 11 Leo Happy Birthday, Leo! Your confidence shines brightly as the Lionsgate Portal, birthday season, and Mercury in Leo help you manifest exciting new beginnings. Lucky Days: August 8, 11 & 12 Virgo Prepare for your personal new year! Release the past before stepping into a powerful season of clarity, wellness, and fresh intentions. Lucky Days: August 23 & 24 Libra A beautiful month for joy, creativity, friendships, and reconnecting with your heart. Take time to recharge while embracing playful new experiences. Lucky Days: August 15, 16 & 17 Scorpio Deep healing, transformation, and spiritual breakthroughs await as you release outdated emotional patterns and embrace profound personal growth. Lucky Days: August 18 & 19 Sagittarius Adventure calls! Jupiter expands your horizons while Leo energy encourages travel, social connections, and exciting future opportunities. Lucky Days: August 20, 21 & 22 Capricorn Focus on creating healthier routines while Venus later in the month inspires more romance, creativity, and joy.Lucky Days: August 23 & 24 Aquarius Higher consciousness, exciting friendships, and innovative ideas flourish as Lionsgate and the Aquarius Full Moon energize your future vision.Lucky Days: August 25 & 26 Pisces Intuition reaches new heights. Spiritual insights, emotional healing, and relationship renewal help you move forward with greater clarity. Lucky Days: August 1, 2, 27, 28 & 29 Get Jill's Book at www.jilljardine.com Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration. Discover how ancient Sanskrit mantras can help raise your frequency, deepen your spiritual practice, and support manifestation, healing, and inner peace. Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist ️ Subscribe to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine for monthly astrology forecasts, zodiac predictions, spiritual guidance, Sanskrit mantra teachings, and intuitive insights to help you navigate the cosmic energies with confidence. #AugustHoroscope #August2026 #ZodiacForecast #Horoscope2026 #AstrologyForecast #LionsgatePortal #AugustAstrology #LeoSeason #VirgoSeason #Manifestation #SpiritualAwakening #LuckyDays #ZodiacSigns #AstrologyPodcast #CosmicScene #ParashaktiJill #JillJardine #SanskritMantras #PsychicAstrologer #SpiritualGrowth Featured Book: Order it now at:  www.jilljardine.com or Amazon Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration by Parashakti Jill Jardine ️ Subscribe to Jill's YouTube channel: @jilljardine2186  for monthly astrology forecasts, spiritual teachings, Sanskrit mantras, and intuitive guidance to help you navigate these extraordinary times. #August2026Astrology #EclipseSeason #LeoSolarEclipse #PiscesLunarEclipse #LionsgatePortal You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com/ #astrologypodcast #astrologyforecast 2026 #zodiacsigns If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist • Author Thank you for listening to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where astrology meets consciousness and the stars illuminate your path to personal and spiritual transformation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why does Sanskrit place so much importance on sound and pronunciation? I'm joined by Dr. Varun Khanna to explore the stories, philosophy, and history behind Sanskrit, and discuss what modern yoga teachers really need to know about the language.Episode Highlights:Meaning of the word guruSound and vibration in SanskritOrigins of Devanagari scriptSanskrit's role in Indian philosophySound, vibration, and the subtle bodyPronunciation and mantra accuracySanskrit in modern yoga teachingSanskrit as a tool for learning yogaOm as the ultimate vibrationSanskrit beyond power and hierarchyPractical takeaways for yoga teachersPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet's Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

August 2026 Astrology Forecast: Eclipse Season, Lionsgate & Massive Cosmic Shifts! August 2026 is one of the most pivotal astrological months of the year. Eclipse Season opens a powerful new chapter, bringing fated events, spiritual awakenings, and opportunities to step into your authentic purpose. This month also features the Lionsgate Portal on August 8, major planetary shifts, and two powerful eclipses that help us release the past and embrace a new future. #August2026Astrology #EclipseSeason #LeoSolarEclipse #PiscesLunarEclipse #LionsgatePortal Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 to hear more astrological updates! https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on August 2026 eclipses and astrology. Discover the spiritual significance of the Lionsgate Portal (8/8). #August2026Astrology #EclipseSeason #LeoSolarEclipse #PiscesLunarEclipse #LionsgatePortal Solar Eclipse in Leo ushers in new beginnings, leadership changes, creativity. and heart-centered purpose. Pisces Lunar Eclipse (August 28) brings emotional healing. spiritual awakening, karmic completion, releasing the past. Sabian Symbol: "Officers on Dress Parade" and its deeper meaning of disciplined spiritual mastery. August Planetary transits: Mars enters Cancer Mercury enters Virgo Sun enters Virgo Venus enters Leo How each planetary shift influences: love & relationships career finances creativity intuition emotional healing spiritual evolution Which zodiac signs experience the greatest breakthroughs The collective message of the North Node in Aquarius and South Node in Leo How Eclipse Season can fast-track your destiny Spiritual practices to navigate August's transformational energy Sanskrit mantras to raise your vibration and align with your soul's highest path. Featured Book: Order it now at:  www.jilljardine.com or Amazon Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration by Parashakti Jill Jardine ️ Subscribe to Jill's YouTube channel: @jilljardine2186  for monthly astrology forecasts, spiritual teachings, Sanskrit mantras, and intuitive guidance to help you navigate these extraordinary times. #August2026Astrology #EclipseSeason #LeoSolarEclipse #PiscesLunarEclipse #LionsgatePortal You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com/ #astrologypodcast #astrologyforecast 2026 #zodiacsigns If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist • Author Thank you for listening to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where astrology meets consciousness and the stars illuminate your path to personal and spiritual transformation.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gamechanger! Astrology Forecast 2026–2028 for North Node in Aquarius | South Node in Leo! Your Zodiac Sign's Destiny-North Node in Aquarius Predictions. #free #podcast #astrology How will the North Node in Aquarius and South Node in Leo transform your zodiac sign over the next 19 months? In Part 2 of this special series, astrologer Jill Jardine explains how this powerful karmic cycle, from July 26, 2026, through March 26, 2028, influences every zodiac sign through a solar chart interpretation, helping you understand where your greatest opportunities for soul growth, relationships, career, creativity, healing, and spiritual evolution will unfold. Discover how to consciously align with this evolutionary cycle and unlock your highest potential. While Part 1 explored the collective meaning of this evolutionary shift, this episode focuses on how every zodiac sign is personally affected and where your greatest opportunities for growth will emerge over the next 19 months. Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 to hear more astrological updates! https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on the Lunar Nodes Astrology. Using a solar chart interpretation, Jill explains how the North Node activates a different life area for each zodiac sign and why Aquarius invites you to embrace innovation, collaboration, authenticity, and your unique contribution to the collective. Whether you're an astrology beginner or an advanced student, this episode provides practical guidance for working consciously with this transformative nodal cycle. What the North Node in Aquarius means for each zodiac sign Why the North Node represents your soul's evolutionary path How the South Node in Leo helps you release outdated ego patterns A solar chart interpretation for all 12 zodiac signs Career, relationship, financial, and spiritual themes through March 2028 How Pluto in Aquarius amplifies this karmic cycle Practical guidance for aligning with your highest timeline Aries — Build your future through community, networking, and collaboration instead of going it alone. Taurus — Reinvent your career and discover purpose through innovative leadership and meaningful service. Gemini: Expand through higher learning, travel, teaching, publishing, and spiritual wisdom. The Aquarius–Leo nodal cycle reminds us that our individuality is meant to serve the collective. Leo teaches us to shine from the heart, while Aquarius teaches us to share those gifts in ways that uplift humanity. The next 19 months are an invitation to release outdated identities, embrace authentic purpose, and become a conscious co-creator of the future. Jill Jardine is a professional astrologer, psychic healer, hypnotherapist, yogi, spiritual teacher, and the host of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine. She has guided clients for more than three decades with practical astrology, intuitive counseling, Sanskrit mantra, meditation, and consciousness-based healing. Jill is also the author of Sacred Sound Formulas to Awaken the Modern Mind: Sanskrit Mantras to Raise Your Vibration, a guide to using ancient mantras for healing, abundance, protection, and spiritual awakening. Listen to Part 1: North Node in Aquarius & South Node in Leo Subscribe to the YouTube channel @jilljardine2186  for monthly astrology forecasts, New Moon and Full Moon updates, planetary transits, spiritual awakening insights, meditation, manifestation techniques, Sanskrit mantras, hypnotherapy, and practical tools for living in alignment with the cosmic cycles. #Astrology #NorthNode #Aquarius #SouthNode #Leo #PlutoInAquarius #AquariusSeason #ZodiacSigns #AstrologyForecast #SpiritualAwakening #CollectiveAwakening #SoulPurpose #KarmicAstrology #AgeOfAquarius #EvolutionaryAstrology #CosmicScene #JillJardine #Podcast #YouTubeAstrology #2026Astrology You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com/ #astrologypodcast #astrologyforecast 2026 #zodiacsigns If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Mahabharata, Volume 8 (U Chicago Press, 2026) is a translation of the twelfth book of The Mahābhārata, an epic tale of history and kingship, reinforced with legends, romances, and metaphysical, theological, and ethical teachings written in Sanskrit 1700 or more years ago. The Book of Peace is focused particularly on the ways people can escape the cycle of rebirth and realize sublime beatitude by way of saving knowledge or yoga meditation or devotion to God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa. Supported by an extensive introduction and notes, this publication will be greeted as a major event in Sanskrit studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The Mahabharata, Volume 8 (U Chicago Press, 2026) is a translation of the twelfth book of The Mahābhārata, an epic tale of history and kingship, reinforced with legends, romances, and metaphysical, theological, and ethical teachings written in Sanskrit 1700 or more years ago. The Book of Peace is focused particularly on the ways people can escape the cycle of rebirth and realize sublime beatitude by way of saving knowledge or yoga meditation or devotion to God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa. Supported by an extensive introduction and notes, this publication will be greeted as a major event in Sanskrit studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

The Mahabharata, Volume 8 (U Chicago Press, 2026) is a translation of the twelfth book of The Mahābhārata, an epic tale of history and kingship, reinforced with legends, romances, and metaphysical, theological, and ethical teachings written in Sanskrit 1700 or more years ago. The Book of Peace is focused particularly on the ways people can escape the cycle of rebirth and realize sublime beatitude by way of saving knowledge or yoga meditation or devotion to God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa. Supported by an extensive introduction and notes, this publication will be greeted as a major event in Sanskrit studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

What is yoga — really?Most practitioners and teachers can answer that question with a pose, a breath, or a feeling. Far fewer can answer it with the philosophical depth the tradition actually deserves. This week's episode does just that.Drawing on academic scholarship, Sanskrit etymology, and nearly 30 years of teaching and study, Jason identifies the six core teachings that appear consistently across the diverse spectrum of yoga traditions — from Hatha to Jnana, from Karma to Bhakti, from Patanjali to modern practice. Not a single reductive definition, but a genuine philosophical framework that holds up across lineages, eras, and approaches.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rev. Daishin Yalon talks about the Buddhist virtue of joyful effort or Virya in Sanskrit. He encourages us to cultivate a stillness within the activity of our every day lives that is bright and energetic. This talk was given at Shasta Abbey on Sunday, June 14, 2026. YouTube: https://youtu.be/W_lQt1OdkLITwitter/X: @shastaabbey 

How do ancient teachings remain alive across centuries, and what can their transmission reveal about the living heart of Tantra?In this conversation, Hareesh is joined once again by fellow Sanskrit scholar Dr. Ben Williams to discuss ongoing research and upcoming textual publications in the field of Tantric studies. Together, they explore the origins of the Śiva Sūtras, the tradition of writing commentaries on mysterious scriptural aphorisms, and historical manuscript evidence revealing an unbroken seventeenth-century lineage in Kashmir. The conversation also touches on Ben's collaborative work on devotional hymn literature, his research into historical ritual manuals, and a new course on meditative practices. Offering a glimpse into both the living tradition and the scholarship that continues to illuminate it, this episode highlights how careful study helps preserve and deepen our understanding of these extraordinary teachings.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode #59 Summary The delightful and engaging Laura Spinney is a science journalist and author of the book Proto. Laura joins the podcast to help us unpack the extraordinary story of the ancient Bronze Age Yamnaya culture, whose linguistic legacy endures today in the family of Indo-European languages. Even though the Yamnaya's Proto language went extinct without being recorded, its linguistic offspring have survived across millennia, evolving into a multitude of other languages that are alive and well in our time. Some of these many languages are English, Urdu, Russian, Farsi, Bengali, Spanish, Norwegian, and Irish. Proto is also the mother tongue of other languages that have since become extinct, such as Latin, Sanskrit, and Ancient Greek.With admirable mental dexterity, Laura weaves the complex, multilayered facets of the Proto story. She helps us tackle the core mystery of it all: who were the ancient peoples who spoke Proto that was never written down and hasn't been uttered in more than 4,000 years, and how is it that their Pontic Steppe culture ended up being the progenitor to a set of languages that are now spoken around the planet?Armed with the most up-to-date insights from linguistics, archaeology, and genetics, Laura shows us how these disciplines have converged over the last two decades to provide an increasingly clearer, but still evolving portrait. By unearthing DNA, tracing word roots, and studying cultural remnants, science has modeled aspects of this prehistoric period and the Yamnaya peoples, providing a deeper glimpse into the linguistic origins of nearly half of the planet.This episode concludes by considering the contemporary lessons Proto's themes offer. Migrations, evolving linguistic and genetic demographics, and the nativist and nationalistic reactions to change are familiar motifs. Citing the shifting language demographics in the United States, Spinney reminds us that migration and linguistic change are constant throughout human history rather than aberrations, arguing that only languages and cultures that adapt endure.This big-picture conversation in our Social Cohesion season invites us to consider the large tides of human history in our quest for cohesion. Spinney's Proto story shows us how intermixed the current state of affairs already is, asking us to widen our view and our hearts to see beyond apparent differences. The truth is there are vast scales of cultural and linguistic patterns moving through and around us. Proto asks us to open up, let go, and trust the wild and unrelenting change that has defined the human saga across thousands of years and will continue to do so in the coming centuries.

In this Conflicted Conversation, Thomas meets Laura Spinney, author of Proto: How One Language Went Global, the story of the Proto-Indo-European language and its descendants, which are spoken today by half of humanity. Laura explains: How, where, and among whom Proto-Indo-European emerged How Indo-European split into English, Hindi, Persian, Russian, Greek, Latin-derived Romance languages, Celtic, Germanic, Baltic and Slavic tongues How linguists reconstruct an unwritten prehistoric language through sound laws, comparative vocabulary and ancient texts Why ancient DNA has transformed the debate over Indo-European origins by restoring migration to the centre of the story Who the Yamnaya were, and how mobile pastoralists north of the Black Sea spread language through cattle, wagons, dairy and steppe mobility How a small number of steppe migrants may have transformed Europe's languages through disease, prestige, violence, intermarriage and social networks Why Tocharian, Sanskrit and Persian reveal extraordinary Indo-European journeys from the Pontic-Caspian steppe to China, India and Iran How ‘Aryan' began as a real Indo-Iranian self-description before being distorted by racial nationalism and Nazi pseudoscience Join the Conflicted Community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find Laura on X: https://x.com/lfspinney And on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/laurainparis.bsky.social And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.spinney Find us on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Conflicted is a Message Heard production. Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren. Produced and edited by Thomas Small. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new dawn was breaking. And its light would reach far beyond its time. Rebellion in Verse unfolds a journey that goes back to the sixth century CE; a time when many yearned for a reprieve from the constraints of Vedic orthodoxy and caste hierarchies. The Tamil Bhakti movement emerged as their clarion call, a grassroots surge of devotion that redefined spirituality and the social fabric itself. The saints of this movement were poets of the people, composing their hymns in Tamil and their verses, brimming with simplicity and profundity, wrestled divine wisdom from the elite grip of Sanskrit and handed it to the masses. This conversation around Raghavan Srinivasan's book Rebellion in Verse, explores how poetry has long served as a space of defiance: challenging hierarchy, authority, and inherited social orders. Drawing from Bhakti and other traditions, the discussion reflects on how verse carried ideas of equality, desire, and resistance, and why these voices continue to matter today. A Q&A with the audience will follow. In this episode of BIC Talks, Raghavan Srinivasan and Sharada Srinivasan will be in conversation with Karthik Venkatesh. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in Feb 2025. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favourite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible, and Amazon Music.

North Node in Aquarius 2026: EVERYTHING Changes! Big Astrology Shift!The Lunar Nodes shift into North Node in Aquarius and South Node in Leo on July 26, 2026, launching a powerful 19-month karmic cycle that will reshape our collective consciousness, relationships, careers, and spiritual evolution through March 26, 2028. #free #podcast #astrology In this episode, astrologer Jill Jardine explores the deeper meaning of this transformative transit, its connection to Pluto in Aquarius, historical parallels, and what this major astrology event means for every zodiac sign. Discover how to align with your soul's purpose, release old ego patterns, embrace community and innovation, and navigate one of the most important astrological cycles of the decade. Subscribe to YouTube channel:  @jilljardine2186 to hear more astrological updates! https://bleav.com/shows/cosmic-scene-with-jill-jardine/ for video versions. Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and major podcast outlets such as Apple and Spotify, the buzz is on the Lunar Nodes Astrology. In this episode of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, professional astrologer, psychic, hypnotherapist, and spiritual teacher Jill Jardine explains how this rare nodal shift will transform collective consciousness, awaken humanity's higher purpose, and influence every zodiac sign over the next 20 months. This is much more than an astrology forecast. The Lunar Nodes represent our collective evolutionary path, and this transit marks a profound shift away from ego, external validation, and personal performance toward collaboration, innovation, community, humanitarian ideals, and conscious evolution. What makes this cycle even more extraordinary is that the North Node enters Aquarius while Pluto is already transiting Aquarius, amplifying themes of transformation, technological breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, higher consciousness, spiritual awakening, and the emergence of new ways of living and connecting. Jill also explores historical parallels with previous Aquarius-Leo nodal cycles, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the birth of the World Wide Web, the rise of smartphones and social media, and the 2008 global financial crisis—revealing how astrology often mirrors major turning points in world history. Jill shares: • What the Lunar Nodes are and why they're called the "Nodes of Destiny" • Why the North Node in Aquarius represents humanity's evolutionary future • The spiritual meaning of the South Node in Leo • How to release ego, comparison, pride, and the need for external validation • Why collaboration replaces competition during this cycle • The connection between Pluto in Aquarius and the North Node • Historical events during previous Aquarius-Leo nodal cycles • The deeper meaning of the Age of Aquarius • Collective predictions for 2026–2028 • Spiritual lessons for navigating this powerful karmic transition Book a Reading:  www.jilljardine.com Jill Jardine is a professional astrologer, psychic healer, hypnotherapist, author, and spiritual teacher with more than 30 years of experience helping people navigate life through astrology, intuition, and consciousness-based practices. She is the host of Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where she shares monthly astrology forecasts, spiritual insights, interviews, and practical guidance for personal transformation. Subscribe to the YouTube channel @jilljardine2186  for monthly astrology forecasts, New Moon and Full Moon updates, planetary transits, spiritual awakening insights, meditation, manifestation techniques, Sanskrit mantras, hypnotherapy, and practical tools for living in alignment with the cosmic cycles. #Astrology #NorthNode #Aquarius #SouthNode #Leo #PlutoInAquarius #AquariusSeason #ZodiacSigns #AstrologyForecast #SpiritualAwakening #CollectiveAwakening #SoulPurpose #KarmicAstrology #AgeOfAquarius #EvolutionaryAstrology #CosmicScene #JillJardine #Podcast #YouTubeAstrology #2026Astrology You can listen to the complete update for free on our website Cosmic Scene – Jill Jardine Astrology, also on Apple Podcasts Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. You can find the Cosmic Scene Podcast on Facebook, Follow Cosmic Scene on Instagram and LinkedIn, YouTube and even IMDB- mdb.com/title/tt26653684/. Be sure to follow us on and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Thanks for listening and don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating and write a review. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, IMDB, YouTube #free #podcast #astrology Book an astrology reading with Professional Astrologer Jill Jardine: www.jilljardineastrology.com Buy Jill's Book: https://jilljardine.com/ #astrologypodcast #astrologyforecast 2026 #zodiacsigns If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love astrology and spiritual growth. Connect with Jill Jardine: www.jilljardine.com Professional Astrologer • Psychic • Healer • Hypnotherapist • Author Thank you for listening to Cosmic Scene with Jill Jardine, where astrology meets consciousness and the stars illuminate your path to personal and spiritual transformation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To celebrate the Gupta Navarātrī (Summer Goddess Festival) this year, we got together in Portland and decided to take up a new text, the Saundarya Laharī, an exceedingly beautiful Śrī Vidyā primary source & primer attributed to Ādi Śankarācarya to study alongside the Yoginī Hṛdāya which we started studying together last week. In this first of many talks on the Saundarya Laharī (follow along with this lecture series here), after a little introduction & discussion featuring Mahadevaji (which you can watch here), I jump in to introduce some foundational & preliminary ideas about Tāntrik Goddess worship starting with the Aṣṭarasā (अष्टरसा) (the “8 flavors of consciousness”) model and the Aṣṭamātṛkās (the 8 fierce yoginīs that correspond to the 8 sets of the Sanskrit alphabet) to which these rasas are often mapped. Here are some citations & resources:From Bhārati's classical source:शृङ्गारहास्यकरुणरौद्रवीरभयानकाः । बीभत्साद्भुतसंज्ञौ चेत्यष्टौ नाटये रसाः स्मृताः śṛṅgārahāsyakaruṇaraudravīrabhayānakāḥ | bībhatsādbhutasaṃjñau cetyaṣṭau nāṭaye rasāḥ smṛtāḥ || Śṛṅgāra (erotic love) Hāsya (comedy) Karuṇa (compassion/grief) Bhayānaka (terror) Bībhatsa (disgust) Vīra (heroic) Adbhuta (amazement) Raudra (anger)And the bonus +1 from Abhinava: Śānta (quiescent/transcendent/spritiual)note: Aṣṭarasā (8 flavors) is the classical list; Abhinava adds the 9th to make “navarasa” (9 flavors).The source for these is Abhinava Bhārati, Abhinava's commentary on the Nātya Śāshtra of Bharati but also for the “9th”, see Abhinava's Dhvanyaloka Locana, his commentary on Anandavardhana's “dhvani” idea (what makes poetry poetic)Here are the 8 sets (mātrikā-Varga/Mātrika Kula) of Sanskrit letters:स्वर (vowels)अ (a), आ (ā), इ (i), ई (ī), उ (u), ऊ (ū), ऋ (ṛ), ॠ (ṝ), ऌ (ḷ), ॡ (ḹ), ए (e), ऐ (ai), ओ (o), औ (au), अं (aṃ), अः (aḥ)कण्ठ्य (gutturals)क (ka), ख (kha), ग (ga), घ (gha), ङ (ṅa).तालव्य (palatals)च (ca), छ (cha), ज (ja), झ (jha), ञ (ña).मूर्धन्य (retroflex)ट (ṭa), ठ (ṭha), ड (ḍa), ढ (ḍha), ण (ṇa).दन्त्य (dentals)त (ta), थ (tha), द (da), ध (dha), न (na).ओष्ठ्य (labials)प (pa), फ (pha), ब (ba), भ (bha), म (ma).अन्तस्थ (semivowels/liquids)य (ya), र (ra), ल (la), व (va)ऊष्मन् (sibilants + aspirant)श (śa), ष (ṣa), स (sa), ह (ha).In the next class, we'll look at another set of 8 (the 8 shadows/pāśās) to complete our understanding of today's material! Hit Me Up xSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

If you are a human being and you read the Bhagavad-gītā, then you're doing the right thing. If you are a human being and you don't read the Bhagavad-gītā, then you're missing the greatest opportunity, because there's nothing better than the Bhagavad-gītā, and not many people read it. They just say they read it, or they keep it in their house and say, “We believe in the Bhagavad-gītā.” But the trick is to actually read it. I was on a Zoom call earlier with a bunch of kids, and we have this system where, whenever we have our call, we always read a chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā together—Sanskrit and English—and then we discuss some of the purports, and the effect is amazing every time you read it. When I was in London, because we were zipping around here, there, and everywhere, every time we would jump in the car, I'd pull out my phone and open my Bhagavad-gītā app, and I started reading chapters. And so I had a minimum of three chapters a day of hearing the Bhagavad-gītā, and nobody told me to stop. Because people could have got annoyed in the cars, like, “Here he goes again,” but nobody said that because it's so interesting to hear the Bhagavad-gītā. I remember when I first got a Bhagavad-gītā when I was a kid; it was just translations, and I couldn't wait to get home from school and read the Bhagavad-gītā again. And I know from that very beginning of reading the Bhagavad-gītā that it fortifies you. Now we have Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. Last year, as an international society ISKCON, we sold over 5 million Bhagavad-gītās. But I can tell you what Prabhupāda would say, because he said it to us in San Francisco in 1973 when our temple president introduced us. Prabhupāda said, “These guys sold this many books.” You know what Prabhupāda said? “You must also read my books.” He said, “I've not written these just for selling." We have to read the Bhagavad-gītā. We have to be up on the Bhagavad-gītā. When your mind's tricking you, it means you're not reading enough Bhagavad-gītā. That is what it means. If you read at least a chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā a day—or at least a verse, anyway—then you won't get tricked. You won't get fooled again. The old boss, same as the new boss; it just comes in over and over again—same old trick of Māyā. But you can't get tricked if you read the Bhagavad-gītā. In fact, you can tell people that out on the street: “You won't get fooled again if you take this Bhagavad-gītā and read it every day.” So that's the solution to everything. Where's your Bhagavad-gītā? Do you know where it is right now? (one of the ladies in the audience takes out Bhagavad-gītā from her purse) In your purse? Show it. Show the Bhagavad-gītā. Look at her tilaka—she's not bewildered, she's not tricked by Māyā. She gets up, puts her tilaka on, because she has a Bhagavad-gītā. If you carry a Bhagavad-gītā with you wherever you go and you read it every day, you'll never get tricked by Māyā. That's how to trick Māyā back. Prabhupāda said, “You should defeat death before death defeats you.” So it's a race for time. We don't have much time. You have to really lean into the Bhagavad-gītā. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025

A conversation featuring the editors of the new Heidelberg Asian Studies Publishing series Pathika - Studies of South Asian Texts and Traditions (HAS, 2026) Pathika – Sanskrit for "traveler" or "one who follows a path" – is a new series dedicated to the textual traditions of South Asia, engaging with the rich landscape of South Asian literary and religious traditions. The series encompasses critical editions, annotated translations, and in-depth studies of texts spanning the full breadth of South Asian traditions. From inscriptions to previously untranslated manuscripts, Pathika provides a venue to both established scholars and emerging researchers to publish their work on the textual traditions of South Asia. The volumes adhere to rigorous philological standards while making important texts and translations accessible to a wider academic audience. Pathika particularly welcomes interdisciplinary approaches that situate texts within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts. The series fully supports all South Asian scripts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

A conversation featuring the editors of the new Heidelberg Asian Studies Publishing series Pathika - Studies of South Asian Texts and Traditions (HAS, 2026) Pathika – Sanskrit for "traveler" or "one who follows a path" – is a new series dedicated to the textual traditions of South Asia, engaging with the rich landscape of South Asian literary and religious traditions. The series encompasses critical editions, annotated translations, and in-depth studies of texts spanning the full breadth of South Asian traditions. From inscriptions to previously untranslated manuscripts, Pathika provides a venue to both established scholars and emerging researchers to publish their work on the textual traditions of South Asia. The volumes adhere to rigorous philological standards while making important texts and translations accessible to a wider academic audience. Pathika particularly welcomes interdisciplinary approaches that situate texts within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts. The series fully supports all South Asian scripts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

A conversation featuring the editors of the new Heidelberg Asian Studies Publishing series Pathika - Studies of South Asian Texts and Traditions (HAS, 2026) Pathika – Sanskrit for "traveler" or "one who follows a path" – is a new series dedicated to the textual traditions of South Asia, engaging with the rich landscape of South Asian literary and religious traditions. The series encompasses critical editions, annotated translations, and in-depth studies of texts spanning the full breadth of South Asian traditions. From inscriptions to previously untranslated manuscripts, Pathika provides a venue to both established scholars and emerging researchers to publish their work on the textual traditions of South Asia. The volumes adhere to rigorous philological standards while making important texts and translations accessible to a wider academic audience. Pathika particularly welcomes interdisciplinary approaches that situate texts within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts. The series fully supports all South Asian scripts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

A conversation featuring the editors of the new Heidelberg Asian Studies Publishing series Pathika - Studies of South Asian Texts and Traditions (HAS, 2026) Pathika – Sanskrit for "traveler" or "one who follows a path" – is a new series dedicated to the textual traditions of South Asia, engaging with the rich landscape of South Asian literary and religious traditions. The series encompasses critical editions, annotated translations, and in-depth studies of texts spanning the full breadth of South Asian traditions. From inscriptions to previously untranslated manuscripts, Pathika provides a venue to both established scholars and emerging researchers to publish their work on the textual traditions of South Asia. The volumes adhere to rigorous philological standards while making important texts and translations accessible to a wider academic audience. Pathika particularly welcomes interdisciplinary approaches that situate texts within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts. The series fully supports all South Asian scripts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

A conversation featuring the editors of the new Heidelberg Asian Studies Publishing series Pathika - Studies of South Asian Texts and Traditions (HAS, 2026) Pathika – Sanskrit for "traveler" or "one who follows a path" – is a new series dedicated to the textual traditions of South Asia, engaging with the rich landscape of South Asian literary and religious traditions. The series encompasses critical editions, annotated translations, and in-depth studies of texts spanning the full breadth of South Asian traditions. From inscriptions to previously untranslated manuscripts, Pathika provides a venue to both established scholars and emerging researchers to publish their work on the textual traditions of South Asia. The volumes adhere to rigorous philological standards while making important texts and translations accessible to a wider academic audience. Pathika particularly welcomes interdisciplinary approaches that situate texts within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts. The series fully supports all South Asian scripts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

What if the whole point of your yoga practice was to prepare you to die well? In one of our favorite conversations of the year, Dr. John Campbell joins Harmony Slater and Russell Case for a third time — and goes somewhere we've never gone on the show. John is one of the few Westerners certified to teach Ashtanga by the Mysore lineage, finished the Fourth Series, and holds a PhD in Religion from Columbia. He co-founded the Contemplative Sciences Center at UVA and translates Sanskrit and Tibetan tantric texts with Prof. Robert Thurman. Today he teaches Vajra Yoga at Tibet House US in New York. Together they explore the Bardo — the Tibetan “in-between” of dying and rebirth — and how the same dissolution can be glimpsed through psychedelics, deep meditation, and moments of love or terror. Russell shares what an ayahuasca journey revealed about a lifelong fear of death; John recounts a 24-hour ceremony and the integration that mattered more than the medicine; and Harmony reframes asana as the building of a “diamond body” — a vessel strong enough to hold the energy that practice unlocks. They sit with hard, beautiful questions: Why would an enlightened being choose to be reborn? What is the “clear light mind”? Can you really care for someone without carrying them? And is a strong backbend the goal of yoga — or just the prerequisite? This is philosophy, dark humor, lineage, and tenderness in one sitting. Please note: this episode discusses psychedelics, addiction, and death, and is offered for educational and contemplative purposes only — not as medical advice or an endorsement of substance use. Links  Vajra Yoga at Tibet House US — tibethouse.us / thus.org  Newburgh Yoga Shala (upstate NY) with Bibi Lorenzetti: https://newburghyogashala.com/ Nepal pilgrimage with Corey Michael Bryant / @thespiritualpilgrim, Sept 27–Oct 7  Harmony & Russell's upcoming yoga + art + integration retreat — DM @harmonyslaterofficial   The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What if the whole point of your yoga practice was to prepare you to die well? In one of our favorite conversations of the year, Dr. John Campbell joins Harmony Slater and Russell Case for a third time — and goes somewhere we've never gone on the show. John is one of the few Westerners certified to teach Ashtanga by the Mysore lineage, finished the Fourth Series, and holds a PhD in Religion from Columbia. He co-founded the Contemplative Sciences Center at UVA and translates Sanskrit and Tibetan tantric texts with Prof. Robert Thurman. Today he teaches Vajra Yoga at Tibet House US in New York. Together they explore the Bardo — the Tibetan “in-between” of dying and rebirth — and how the same dissolution can be glimpsed through psychedelics, deep meditation, and moments of love or terror. Russell shares what an ayahuasca journey revealed about a lifelong fear of death; John recounts a 24-hour ceremony and the integration that mattered more than the medicine; and Harmony reframes asana as the building of a “diamond body” — a vessel strong enough to hold the energy that practice unlocks. They sit with hard, beautiful questions: Why would an enlightened being choose to be reborn? What is the “clear light mind”? Can you really care for someone without carrying them? And is a strong backbend the goal of yoga — or just the prerequisite? This is philosophy, dark humor, lineage, and tenderness in one sitting. Please note: this episode discusses psychedelics, addiction, and death, and is offered for educational and contemplative purposes only — not as medical advice or an endorsement of substance use. Links  Vajra Yoga at Tibet House US — tibethouse.us / thus.org  Newburgh Yoga Shala (upstate NY) with Bibi Lorenzetti: https://newburghyogashala.com/ Nepal pilgrimage with Corey Michael Bryant / @thespiritualpilgrim, Sept 27–Oct 7  Harmony & Russell's upcoming yoga + art + integration retreat — DM @harmonyslaterofficial   The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Hermann Ebbinghaus is remembered mostly for discovering the forgetting curve. Open any psychology textbook, any blog devoted to a flashcard app or any study-tips listicle, and you’ll find his name alongside a distinctive graph. Memory expert Tony Buzan called it the most important graph in the world. That’s because its iconic line shows memory plummeting within hours of learning something new, then flattening out over days. Countless discussions of how to reduce forgetting give you the same tidy recommendations. Usually they tell you to review your study materials at intervals, just at the point you’re starting to forget. That way, many authors promise, you’ll beat the curve. The problem, just one of many you’ll discover today, is this: Ebbinghaus didn’t discover the forgetting curve. He discovered his forgetting curve. He was one man, testing his own memory, on one kind of material, using one method. And although the forgetting curve is indeed one of the most repeatable and reproducible principles in the history of scientific studies, reproducibility in laboratory settings does not mean you’ll stop forgetting by using the conventional recommendations. Besides, here’s something almost no one else will tell you: The deepest principles the Ebbinghaus experiments revealed were already written down more than two thousand years earlier by Aristotle. You’ll find them in a short treatise that describes something remarkably close to using a Memory Palace in combination with the same kind of serial positioning Ebbinghaus described as a means for reducing forgetting. So today I’m going to cover a few aspects of the forgetting curve all serious users of memory techniques need to know. These are points I’ve been putting off writing about for a long time. However, a few emails and comments I’ve received over the past few years have convinced me that now is finally the time. Especially since I’ve spent decades memorizing poetry, scripture, mantras, complex terms, the names of people from various backgrounds and vocabulary and phrases in multiple languages. And I’ve done this all while teaching thousands of students to do the same. From where I sit as a practitioner, the forgetting curve is real, useful and badly misunderstood. But treated correctly, it’s an invitation to success. First, however, for the uninitiated, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the definition of this term. That way, you’ll be able to discover your own curve and work on reducing its impact in your learning life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_qwUkfO65M   What Is the Forgetting Curve? In 1885, Ebbinghaus published Über das Gedächtnis (Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology). In this monumental work, he reported years of experiments he had run on a single subject: himself. He memorized lists of sinnlose Silben, the German term for nonsense syllables. These were consonant-vowel-consonant combinations like ZOF and KEB. After committing lists of such invented words, he then tested how much effort it took to relearn them after various delays. Notice two things. First, these were invented words. Nothing with any meaning. Second, pay attention to the word relearn. Ebbinghaus did not measure memory only by asking whether he could reproduce an entire list perfectly. He also measured what he called “savings” in the context of relearning. This study goes quite deep into the nuances and implications of this particular concept for memory. To get the concept in brief, suppose it initially took you 20 repetitions to learn something. If it took only 10 repetitions to relearn it later, some trace of the original learning clearly remained. Your inability to reproduce the information perfectly would not mean the memory had disappeared completely. Keep this idea of “savings” in mind. It matters more than the famous graph, and we’ll return to it when I show you what happened to a long Sanskrit mantra I intentionally abandoned for years. It also connects to some concepts in memory introduced by Richard Semon and studied more recently by Dr. Paul Garrett in relation to the role of fuzzy memory. Back to Ebbinghaus, the  result of his experiments is what we now call the forgetting curve. It shows how retention drops steeply at first, then the decline slows. He also documented what we now call the spacing effect. It describes how reviews distributed over time preserve more in long-term memory than the same number of reviews crammed together. All of what Ebbinghaus found replicates, so his science is not in question here. What’s in question is what you and I should actually do with his findings.  And that’s where things really start to get interesting. Ebbinghaus Was an Early n=1 Memorizer Notice what Ebbinghaus actually was: A practitioner running experiments on his own memory. In today’s language, he was doing n=1 self-experimentation. He had skin in the game, memorized real material with his own mind, and measured what happened. I took his actions as both a lesson and an inspiration. It’s just that rather than memorize nonsense (apart from a bit of Kurt Schwitters’ “Ursonate”), I’ve focused on applying memory techniques to Chinese, scripture, poetry and facts related to law school. But you will never see the results you can achieve by reading about Ebbinghaus. You’ll only see it by memorizing information yourself and paying attention to what happens next. Tony Buzan was great about splitting the difference during his ThinkBuzan seminars. He taught memory techniques, but also had participants draw their own graph of the forgetting curve. Here’s mine: In sum, reading about the forgetting curve while never memorizing anything is like reading about swimming while refusing to get wet. Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Scientific Literacy? Years ago, Harry Lorayne coached me on becoming a successful memory coach. I followed just about everything he said, except one thing. He said, “whatever you do, don’t tell ’em about the science.” The reason I ignored the advice is that: I’m very interested in memory science Studying it has helped me discover many powerful memory activities and brain exercises The only problem I’ve seen is that about a year ago, students of all ages started writing to me in the language of science at an increasing rate. And for many, the various terms and memory statistics available online have created anxiety and perfectionism I don’t think needs to exist. For example, a medical student taking the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass recently emailed multiple times with worries about whether his review schedule was set to properly combat the “decay function.” Now, obviously, the research on memory genuinely matters. I cite it often and terms like this can be useful for forming a solid practice with using mnemonics. But Lorayne’s warning has started to take on a strange and unexpected sense because something strange happens when the vocabulary of science replaces practice. After all, science is mostly there to describe, not proscribe. We can certainly use scientific findings to improve our practice, but it’s not helpful to let techniques that have been used happily for thousands of years become the source of anxiety thanks to scientific papers. Don’t Let These Terms Interfere With Your Memory Training It’s not only beginners with memory techniques or medical students who would tend towards scientific verbiage when contacting me. I regularly hear from people fluent in the terminology, sometimes with publications to their name. A published researcher wrote me recently and had thoroughly reasoned himself into genuine paradox. Amongst other things, he wanted to know what a trained mnemonist’s memory does “without any technique.” Now, you certainly can get a swimmer to demonstrate what a particular stroke looks like without the water. And in the context of memory training, the question can sound rigorous. But in my view, this kind of question suggests that the researcher has lost contact with the very thing he’s asking about. This is because someone with a trained memory can’t isolate a ‘raw baseline’ without risking cognitive paradox. I would have to reflect on my use of mnemonic methods while not using them. And since he immediately followed-up with a pseudo-scientific claim about photographic memory, I knew he was not taking Ebbinghaus’ n=1 practice as an example by actually using the techniques himself. After all, photographic memory has been thoroughly debunked and I’ve demonstrated many times over that it not only does not exist. The term itself makes zero sense. So this is where some nuance about the forgetting curve is very important to the serious user of memory techniques. No matter who you are, you need to make contact with actual remembering. Aristotle Described the Core Principle Two Thousand Years Ago Actually studying and practicing a wide variety of memory techniques will get you insight far more interesting and impactful than any psychology textbook could hope to provide. In De Memoria et Reminiscentia, Aristotle describes recollection as movement through an ordered series. At one point in the book, he uses a sequence like the letters of the alphabet and gives strikingly practical advice that deeply inspired what I call Recall Rehearsal. This is a form of spaced repetition applied specifically to the Memory Palace technique. As Aristotle puts it, if you forget something, don’t start over from the beginning. Start from the middle of the series and move outward from there. Richard Sorabji, in his landmark study Aristotle on Memory, admits that he doesn’t understand what Aristotle is talking about in this passage. That’s a courageous confession, as many scholars would just make something up or speculate. As a practitioner of memory techniques with decades of experience, I can tell you what I believe Aristotle is describing. It’s either: An alphabetically labeled Memory Palace An early description of serial positioning and spaced repetition Or a description that provided the inspiration for creating this kind of Memory Palace practice. It’s genuinely difficult to say which. But either way, the principle and how it reduces unwanted forgetting is unmistakable to anyone who has actually run the technique. In case you have never used a Memory Palace, it involves ordered locations, deliberate starting points, and strategic entry into the middle of a sequence as part of several spaced repetition patterns that establish substantial retention. Modern Practitioners Who Know How to Beat the Forgetting Curve  You can trace this practitioner lineage forward through Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius, Robert Fludd, Giordano Bruno, and in our own time, mnemonists like myself and Lynne Kelly (especially in her book, Memory Craft). Our combination of fieldwork and daily personal practice in particular sets the standard for studying these techniques. Certainly Frances Yates deserves credit for reviving scholarly interest in mnemonics through her book, The Art of Memory, but she acknowledged never practicing the techniques herself. Frankly, it shows. Her treatment of memory wheels, for example, creates the impression they were used as Memory Palaces, which is possible but unlikely. Practice changes what you can see in the Memory Palace books you read. Why does the Aristotle passage matter for the forgetting curve? Because his advice that you should “start from the middle” of a sequence of information you keep forgetting is serial positioning in action. And serial positioning is the key to defeating the curve. My Own Forgetting Curve, Observed in the Wild The reason I’ve never tried to reproduce Ebbinghaus’s experiment formally by memorizing nonsense is precisely because you see advice on how to beat the forgetting curve thousands of years before he conducted his research. That said, I have watched my own forgetting curve operate over years, and the observations I’ve made are instructive. For example, I worked daily with one long-form mantra built from a few dozen Sanskrit phrases for many years: the Song Celestial. Then I deliberately let it lapse with no rehearsal at all for approximately two years. I was not as deliberate as I could have been in terms of tracking like Ebbinghaus would have. But since the research is so heavily reproducible and we know why Memory Palaces work, I was happy to be casual about it. When I finally came back to this mantra, I was shocked by how much I could still recall. The forgetting curve had certainly caused some “decay.” But it was nothing like what Ebbinghaus’s graph would predict for material of that length after that much neglect. In Ebbinghaus’s own terms, the “savings” were enormous. And the relearning cost me a fraction of the original effort, because the trace was never gone. It was waiting for me. The question is, why? After all, I can’t sing songs I used to know by heart when I was a kid? Part of the answer is that I never stopped reciting the other three Sanskrit mantras I have memorized. They have very similar meanings, and in many cases, some of the same words. The meaning element in particular suggests that I partly benefitted from stronger retention due to what scientists call context dependence. Because I never left the realm of reciting Sanskrit entirely, that must explain the higher rate of retention. Compare this to my previous career as a Film Studies professor. I hardly watch movies anymore, let alone read theoretical books about them or lecture for weeks on end during a traditional university semester. The lack of context has accelerated the force of the forgetting curve and deskilled my chops as a film scholar. Memory Palaces: Structured Spaced Retrieval Systems That Beat Forgetting Apart from context-dependent memory benefits, another reason I could recall so much of a mantra despite not reciting it for years has to do with how I memorized it: using the Memory Palace technique. Not as a party trick, but as a structured spaced retrieval system. To learn more about how it works, check out my Complete Guide to the Memory Palace technique. In brief, the key is to place information tethered to associations along the stations of a Memory Palace and then practice Recall Rehearsal following patterns no software like Anki can guide you through. Titus Andronicus and Recall Rehearsal in Action My favorite demonstration where I show you Recall Rehearsal in action involves Shakespeare, specifically a passage from Titus Andronicus I memorized for my case study of how Anthony Hopkins memorizes his scripts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjIkGu32CA I’ve retained the passage ever since running it through Recall Rehearsal with minimal repetition. Or better said, I repeat these lines often, but now it’s performance, not just recitation. But the interesting thing isn’t really that I can recite this passage. Anyone can chain words together through brute force rote learning and recite lines like these forward. The proof of the power of Recall Rehearsal is that I can recite the lines out of order: Jumping between sections Running lines in reverse Reciting the odd-numbered lines and then the even numbered lines It’s now probably my favorite demonstration because it makes the power of serial positioning visible. Even better: I’m not alone in enjoying the benefits of improved retention. Magnetic Memory Method Students Who Have Bent the Curve I’ve watched this play out in my students for years, and two cases capture it especially well. Jeannie Koh spent years learning Koine Greek using rote learning during years of what she said were filled with tears and pain. But after learning to encode with Memory Palaces, she found memorizing “much less painful, and much more enduring over time,” now recalling whole passages in that ancient language with an ease she says feels almost suspicious. Same brain, same language, two encoding methods, two completely different forgetting curves. She’s a one-person controlled experiment. For more success stories, including physicians who used these methods to retrieve high-volume, complex information under exam pressure months after encoding it, check out my testimonials page. The pattern is always the same: the forgetting curve is not destiny. So long as you’re using memory techniques optimally, you can resist it, if not beat it. Should You Reproduce Ebbinghaus’s Experiment? One problem I see time and again is that many people want the exact steps needed to measure their progress. Especially when they hear me discuss how rigorously I use journaling as part of my memory activities. I’m sorry, but the demand for “exact steps” is mostly a desire installed by content marketing. The truth is that there isn’t one exact path. There are several and the real lesson in Ebbinghaus’ story is that you need to get involved in creating your own. You can journal manually by simply memorizing real words or nonsense words. Note the dates, and test yourself over time. What matters is that you work inside projects that matter to you. Whether that’s language learning, poetry, mantras, scripture, use a memory journal to help you test what holds and what fades as you use memory techniques. If you’re competitive, you can study how memory athletes use journaling to sharpen their game. My podcast conversation with Johannes Mallow, in which he explains how journaling improved his competitive standing, will be useful in that regard. Often Forgetting Is Actually a Crisis of Commitment If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the years, it’s that people often take on learning projects connected to lives they do not actually want. They study for a qualification because they believe they should, or to please a family member. As a result, they struggle to memorize information for a job they already suspect will make them miserable. Then they interpret their resistance as a defective memory, when the deeper problem is in fact a conflict of purpose. I’ve had to face this in my own law-school experiment. I could not know in advance exactly what studying law would involve or how well the field would suit me. The saving grace is that trying it has given me greater insight into what’s involved. But now that I’ve seen some of the field from within, I have to ask a different question: Just because I am a mnemonist who can memorize legal Latin quickly and an upcoming presentation I have to give does not mean I must continue pursuing every possible outcome associated with the degree. The ability to remember something does not prove that it deserves years of my life. As I know from my studies in polymathy, memory mastery must include the development of careful selection parameters. In other words, one of the best “meta level” ways to beat the forgetting curve is to decide whether the material deserves a place in your memory at all. If you’d like help picking what to memorize on top of using the Memory Palace technique and Recall Rehearsal, my new training “The System” can help you pick a first project you actually care about. Once you have a learning goal you love, keep a journal as you memorize. Not to reproduce a nineteenth-century experiment, but to watch yourself break the forgetting curve, one piece of info at a time.

At first glance, Ashtanga Yoga may look like a simple sequence of postures. But beneath the surface lies a subtle framework that carries the entire method: Tristhāna, the threefold support of breath, posture, and gaze. In this episode, Kino and Tim explore the deeper meaning of Tristhāna. The word comes from Sanskrit, with tri meaning "three" and sthāna meaning "place" or "support." These three abodes are not just techniques. They are thresholds that guide the practitioner from gross sensation into subtle awareness. Breath is the golden thread linking body and mind. Posture is the seat that establishes presence. Gaze is the discipline that steadies perception. Together, they guide us inward, moving us from the visible body into the subtle body, from surface sensation into deeper stillness. Kino and Tim also reflect on how these pillars extend beyond the mat. Breath becomes a refuge, posture teaches resilience, and gaze becomes discernment. To practice Ashtanga is to realize that we are never not practicing. Yoga becomes alive in every moment of our lives. Listen in to explore how the three pillars of Tristhāna support the movement from external to internal, from gross to subtle, and discover how yoga is not just something you do, but something you live. Practice with Kino, Tim, and the Omstars community at Omstars.com, where you'll find guided Ashtanga Yoga classes, philosophy, meditation, and practice support for every stage of your path.

Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga — drawing directly from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita to unpack what these techniques were actually built to do, and why "yogic detox" is one of the least accurate ways to describe them.This is not a beginner overview. This is the episode for teachers, trainees, and serious practitioners who want to understand the architecture of Hatha Yoga — why the body had to be cleared before the breath could be regulated, what the texts say about each technique specifically, and where modern science has quietly caught up to practices that are at least six hundred years old on paper, and likely much older.Episode Highlights:What Shat Karma actually means — Sanskrit breakdown of the term and each of the six kriyasThe historical context: Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th c.) vs. Gheranda Samhita (17th c.) and how they differ in their treatment of ShatkarmaWhy Swatmarama places the six kriyas before pranayama — and what that sequencing tells you about the entire logic of Hatha YogaThe difference between "cleansing for wellness" and "removing a specific obstruction so practice can go deeper"A full breakdown of all six — Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati — with Sanskrit etymology, traditional technique, and purposeWhat modern research actually says (and where it goes quiet)Why Trataka is the only kriya that isn't physically invasive — and why that makes it the most misunderstood of the sixBasti: why it's the most prerequisite-dependent kriya, and why almost no one can do it traditionallyThe two texts don't list the six in the same order — and why that sequencing difference matters more than it looksPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet's Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Ep 283 Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor   Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor share their extensive journey through yoga, their insights on tradition versus innovation, and how spiritual practices intersect with everyday life. Discover how their experiences in India, Persia, and beyond shape their teaching and personal philosophies.   Main Topics: ·       Richard and Mary's early paths into yoga and their discoveries of Indian philosophy, Tantra, and Buddhist practices ·       Their experiences studying with Pattabhi Jois, in Mysore, and the evolution of the Ashtanga sequence ·       The importance of tradition, innovation, and personal adaptation in yoga practice ·       Insights into pranayama, Sanskrit, and the deeper layers of yogic philosophy ·       The relevance of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on action, sacrifice, and devotion ·       The role of curiosity, questioning, and avoiding dogma in spiritual development ·       Diet, vegetarianism, and the influence of food on practice and health ·       The visceral and embodied experience of waking up and consciousness in yoga and meditation ·       The parallels and differences between Yoga and Buddhism, and their synergy in modern practice ·       The importance of individualized teaching and the teacher-student relationship ·       Future inspirations drawn from nature, texts, and ongoing spiritual inquiry Richard Freeman - Official website | Mary Taylor - Personal website Connect with Richard Freeman: Instagram Connect with Mary Taylor: Instagram   SUPPORT KEEN ON YOGA Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf FULL PODCAST LIST https://www.keenonyoga.com/keen-on-yoga-podcast-guests/ CONNECT WITH ADAM https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/@keenonyoga

16 Vowels of Sanskrit -- 16 Shades of Blue (7 May 2014 - Dublin, IRE)

What if the real threat of AI isn't that it replaces your job — but that it slowly replaces you? In this electrifying episode of The Brain Vault Podcast, Larry sits down with Derek Rydall — bestselling author, founder of the Whole New Human Movement, and host of the globally recognized Emergence podcast — for one of the most expansive conversations we've ever had about human potential, identity, and what we're really here to become. After a near-death experience shattered his understanding of success, Derek spent decades bridging ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience to answer one question: what makes us truly irreplaceable? In this episode, you'll hear: Why AI is the greatest existential crisis and the greatest evolutionary opportunity we've ever faced What the ancient Sanskrit meaning of "human" reveals about who you actually are How the Oracle of Delphi's "Know thyself" was never an affirmation — it was a warning Why your conditions don't determine your destiny, but your character does The race car driver principle that explains why you keep hitting the same walls Why knowledge is not power — and what to do with it instead This conversation isn't just about surviving the AI revolution. It's about finally becoming who you were always meant to be. Connect with Derek at derekrydall.com and grab his book A Whole New Human on Amazon. ABOUT DEREK RYDALL Derek Rydall is the bestselling author of A Whole New Human, The Abundance Project, and Emergence. He is the founder of the Whole New Human Movement and the host of the globally recognized Emergence podcast. Derek bridges ancient wisdom and modern science, drawing on decades of study in psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and creativity. His work has been forged through profound personal transformation, not theory alone. ABOUT LARRY OLSEN Larry Olsen is a Two-Time Vistage Speaker of the Year and Fortune 50/500 Executive Performance Advisor with 40+ years of client work at Toyota, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Harley-Davidson, Honda, American Airlines, State Farm, Frito Lay, Lexus, and Tropicana. He is the author of Get a Vision and Live It! and the founder of Performance Driven Neurology. IF THIS LANDED FOR YOU The next step is Larry's Brain Hacks Intensive. It is a guided practice that walks you through the foundational mindset shifts Larry teaches Fortune 500 executives. Brain Hacks Intensive: https://neuromindedcollective.com/brain-hacks-challenge CONNECT WITH LARRY Website: larryolsen.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/larry-r-olsen CONNECT WITH DEREK RYDALL Website: DerekRydall.com YouTube: Legendary Life, Derek Rydall Podcast: Emergence Latest Book: A Whole New Human: 10 Ways We Must Evolve to Survive and Thrive in the AI Age SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE New episodes of the Brain Vault Podcast publish every other Wednesday. Yours in growth, Larry

What if everything we think is a dream? Would nothing be real? Or might it reveal how to live in infinity, untroubled by suffering?

In this episode, I am reflecting on the profound symbolism of Maa Kali's black form and her role as the ruler of Time.Discover how the Sanskrit word kāla unites darkness and time, and how Kali's fierce yet compassionate presence teaches us about impermanence, transformation, and the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution.---------------Visit the following link to know about all kinds of Vedic Astrological readings I offerhttps://cosmic-gestures.blogspot.com/2021/04/experience-vedic-astrology-at.html

Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." With every choice, we're trading the moments of our life for something. The Vedic tradition asks: what is it actually worth – material prosperity? Liberation? Bhakti Vedanta points higher — divine love, connection with the very origin of your existence. In this episode Raghunath and Kaustubha explore the meaning of Krishna's Lila, which may sound like mythology or a fairy tale. But at the pinnacle of Vedantic thought, after hundreds of thousands of Sanskrit verses building a complete philosophy of existence, we arrive here: Krishna is the origin and sustainer of all that is. And beyond that — his intimate love makes one forget all worldly attachments and gives the highest fulfillment the soul can find. Srimad Bhagavatam 10:31.9-16 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************

Kriya Yoga teacher Donelle Mason from New Zealand joins Ryan Kurczak for a thoughtful conversation on insight, Self-realization, lineage, Sanskrit, renunciation, ritual, and spiritual maturity. This episode explores the difference between genuine spiritual insight and mental understanding, the gradual or sudden recognition of Purusha, and how to understand the many branches and variations of Kriya Yoga after Lahiri Mahasaya. Ryan also discusses Sanskrit study, householder life, renunciate ideals, tapas, brahmacharya, desirelessness, kaivalya, and the role of ritual in yogic practice. The conversation concludes with reflections on what Ryan wishes he had known at the beginning of the path and how students may deepen from recognizing the Self to seeing the Self in all beings, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita. For students of Kriya Yoga, meditation, Yoga philosophy, the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Self-realization, and sincere spiritual practice. -

What if better management starts with seeing connections that were there all along? In this conversation, Balaji Reddie and Andrew Stotz unpack one of the most powerful and overlooked ideas in management: that everything is connected. Drawing on Dr. W. Edwards Deming's systems thinking, he explains why the problems we face today were set in motion long before we noticed them, and why the solutions are rarely where we think to look.    Along the way, a cup of coffee becomes a window into five years of invisible effort, hydrogen and oxygen defy everything we'd expect, and a classroom game reveals that cooperation isn't a soft ideal — it might just be human nature. Whether you run a team of two or a global organization, this episode will quietly shift the way you read a situation, ask a question, or respond to a problem. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we dive deeper into the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Today, I'm continuing my discussions with Balaji Reddie, an educator and trainer in the teachings of Dr. Deming and quality management generally. The topic for today is connectedness, which will help you see things you normally would not see. Balaji, how are you?   0:00:30.7 Balaji Reddie: I'm good, I'm fine.   0:00:32.5 Andrew Stotz: Nice to connect with you.   0:00:34.1 Balaji Reddie: Yes, same here.   0:00:35.3 Andrew Stotz: Connectedness day.   0:00:36.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, connectedness, absolutely. Yeah, we chose this term very carefully, right?   0:00:42.6 Andrew Stotz: I suspect you have, given your precision.   [laughter]   0:00:47.4 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, to see things that you normally would not see, let me attribute this to Henry Neave, who said that he heard Deming say this during his last three or four seminars in England, right? In Britain rather. Yeah, I think it was mostly in England. And he said, when he heard him say that, he said, "I am not here to teach you anything new. I'm here to make you see things that you normally would not see." And I would like to just expand on that and say when you see things differently, obviously, you observe, you record different things. And when you record different things, you ask different questions. When you ask different questions, you get different answers. And when you get different answers, you draw different conclusions. When you draw different conclusions, you take different decisions. And when you take different decisions, you get different results. It's insanity to expect different results by asking the same questions every single time. So management is not so much about giving the right answers as much as it is about asking the correct questions. And I think Dr. Deming helps you do that. He helps you ask the correct questions.   0:02:02.2 Balaji Reddie: Now coming to the word connectedness. We spoke about the System of Profound Knowledge, a unified theory of leadership and management, where Dr. Deming brings together four sciences. And the first one he says about systems thinking, or what he called as appreciation for a system, appreciation for a fact that everything is systemic. There's nothing that happens in isolation, right? And the second one, of course, he said was understanding variation, then understanding theory of knowledge and understanding psychology. But he said, all four are equally important, et cetera. And then comes the, I won't say contradictory, but a chapter before Profound Knowledge on systems especially. So that's where I decided to use the word connectedness, that all these are connected. What did he mean by that? So I believe he wanted people to learn about connectedness and systems first.   0:03:01.6 Balaji Reddie: So let's dive right there. What did he always say about systems, or connectedness as we say here? And let's get into his definition for system. And he says that "a system is a network," right, "of interdependent components that work together to achieve the aim of the system." And then he says "every system must have an aim. Without an aim, there is no system." And very well articulated throughout this book which he wrote, he always began with aim of the chapter. Even in Out of the Crisis, he always started with aim of a chapter. So network of interdependent components. So let's just break it down, because the three important words are network, interdependent, and aim. And he says aim comes first because without the aim, there is no system.   0:04:00.6 Balaji Reddie: Right. And he goes on to tell us what the aim of a system should be. Okay. He says here that the recommended aim should be for everybody to gain. Now, in one of the paragraphs there, management's job, where he says should be to make it clear, the first step is clarification. Everyone in the organization must understand the aim and how to direct their efforts towards the aim, right? And everyone must understand, okay, this is important. The danger and loss to the whole organization from a team that seeks to become a selfish, independent profit center. Right. So he says here we need to give both, why we need to do what we need to do. And he says the aim precedes the system. Now, I would like to leave this discussion right here. We will cover this in our 14 Points, our session on the 14 Points, because I believe the word aim and purpose are, they go hand in hand. Aim gives us a direction and purpose gives us the reason why we exist, right? And so the direction of all the efforts, you can see the development. He says here, he gives some examples that the system must create something of value. In other words, results. The intended results along with consideration of recipients and of cost mold the aim of the system. So he said it should be something that makes life better for everyone.   0:05:39.8 Balaji Reddie: Now, he was talking about a man-made system here. Remember, he wrote this for organizations, but I think I mentioned this before that this can equally be applied to natural systems, if you want to really study them in detail. I remember talking to Barbara Lawton about this, and I said, "Natural systems, they do have an aim. It's just that we've not understood it." The purpose and aim of, in fact, that was the basis for my paper, which I delivered at the Deming Research Seminar in 2002. And the title of my paper was Deming and Ecology. And I was trying to put together the thoughts of the physicist Fritjof Capra, who wrote some wonderful books like The Tao of Physics, The Turning Point, The Web of Life, and The Hidden Connections. And The Systems View of Life is also one of the sub-books or booklets that he came out with. But these were his wonderful books. At the time, he had not yet written The Hidden Connections, right? So based on his three books that I had read up until then, of course, one was called Uncommon Wisdom, where he reproduced some of the interviews he had with some systems thinkers in the world, including people not from conventional systems thinking. For example, he also reproduced his interaction with the then Prime Minister or the ex-Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, and how he spent time with her, because he was over here in India for quite some time studying the language Sanskrit and studying the texts over here, because he learned about systems thinking even deeper.   0:07:25.1 Balaji Reddie: So over there, he wanted to, he raised a question, what is the purpose? So I wanted to use Dr. Deming's theories to understand the purpose of a natural system and what is the purpose of man [laughter] in this natural system. So that was my theory. And that's when this aim thing became more and more clear. And Barbara said, "No, you're right. There is an aim. It's just that we're trying to understand it. Without that, you won't have the system working so beautifully. There is something that is at work." Right. And he says here, management of a system. And then he says that a system includes the future. And now here's where, when you talk about system includes the future, he mentions Peter Senge in his book, if you know about The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. And that's where this fantastic statement comes in because he says delayed effects. So although, Deming never used these words directly, but here I am putting among the first principles of systems thinking is that cause and effect are not closely related in time or space. Right. And that gives a lot of frightening conclusions, or inferences that you can draw from this. If I say that, by the way, that cause and effect are not closely related in time or space, and if I ask you what you understand by this statement, your first knee-jerk reaction would be what I do today, the consequences would be felt in another time at another place. Absolutely right. That's exactly what this means. But the converse is also true. What we get to see in front of our eyes, the origins are at another time and another place.   0:09:15.9 Balaji Reddie: So we only see the event, but systems thinking teaches us there are no events in this world. There are only eventualities. Now, this comes into play when you start doing a study, typically when people learn about quality, and then the first thing they learn is to, okay, identify a problem and try to solve it, right? And then they start asking the question, "Why did this happen?" And then you draw a fishbone diagram, which is, you know, one of the most popular tools. But the problem there is you need to arrange the causes logically and not categorically. And you also need to take into account that these causes are also related to each other. You can't isolate them. And the fact that, there could be an element of time over here, right, that this is a delayed effect that you're seeing. So the effect comes much later. And sometimes it could be weeks and months. So you have to take that into account, right? So the cause and effect are not true, which means then the next corollary from this statement is that seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. And so when you are studying something that's happening in front of your eyes, very quickly you ask the question, "What else happened a month ago, a week ago, that we seem to have missed? Are we missing something here?" So that's one of those things that we need to get into, right? We need to go backwards in time and not look at the localized stuff here. We need to look in space all around and try to figure out where and how we need to change things.   0:11:06.1 Andrew Stotz: It's also interesting to think about all the things that have to have happened for an outcome to occur today the way you want it, that is the right outcome.   0:11:19.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:11:21.4 Andrew Stotz: And a good example I use for that, and I was just talking two different times this week with my team, is coffee. Coffee is a really interesting one, because when you go to a coffee shop, they make you a cup of coffee, they give you a cup of coffee, but what you don't realize is that there was a farmer, took him five years to grow that tree. And then they had to pick it at the right time. You pick it at the wrong time, it goes wrong.   0:11:47.4 Balaji Reddie: Oh, yeah.   0:11:48.3 Andrew Stotz: They put it into some water. They leave it in too long, it's fermented. They leave it in too short, it doesn't, the shell doesn't come off. And then if they, once they've worked on it, if they have their grinders that are getting off the mucilage off of it, if they're too tight, well, then you're going to get a little slice off the top of the bean. And then when that goes to the roasting machine, that's going to burn right there because there's no protection in that area. But they got to get all of those things right all the way to that barista. And if that barista just basically doesn't check the water temperature, it's done.   0:12:29.5 Balaji Reddie: It's done. [laughter]   0:12:29.9 Andrew Stotz: You throw it away. And when you think about it, I have another lesson that I give to young people about capitalism, that how all of these decisions are happening all along the way. And when that happens, there's waste in the system. And that waste goes back all the way back to the effort of the farmer five years ago when they planted that tree.   0:12:51.8 Balaji Reddie: That's right.   0:12:52.3 Andrew Stotz: And so reducing waste is not only good for you and good for costs in general, but it has a respect for the process, a respect for the system.   0:13:04.0 Balaji Reddie: Yes. Connectedness. Reconnected. [laughter]   0:13:07.6 Andrew Stotz: Well, and the other thing I tell them is I say, and here you have a coffee bean coming from this country that's then being shipped to this country. They never met.   0:13:16.8 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:17.1 Andrew Stotz: And that's capitalism. You trade. In fact, they may not speak the same language.   0:13:23.1 Balaji Reddie: Absolutely.   0:13:23.5 Andrew Stotz: Or they may even be enemies. They may hate each other.   0:13:26.9 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:27.4 Andrew Stotz: And yet they trade.   0:13:29.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah.   0:13:31.1 Andrew Stotz: And so it's a voluntary connectedness that happens through capitalism. Anyways.   0:13:37.2 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. The right quality and uniformity are foundations for commerce, prosperity, and peace. [laughter] That's Deming for you.   0:13:46.1 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:13:46.3 Balaji Reddie: I think he chose that sentence so beautifully. It goes into the Deming Medal. He knew what he was talking about. So he was talking about systems, and I think profound knowledge came towards the end of his life, and rightly so. It came as a revelation, as a catharsis. I think he went through all of that, especially, I think it was between '88 and '89, if I'm not mistaken. Jaki Graham talks about this very, very funnily. She says that they were giving him pure oxygen and maybe that made his brain cells go alive. [laughter] And he could think so clearly. He was getting pure oxygen. And so his thought process...   0:14:31.0 Andrew Stotz: By the way, for the listeners out there, you may feel like I feel when I think about how Dr. Deming didn't really come out with the System of Profound Knowledge until he was, early '90s, let's say, '90s. You think to yourself, okay, I still have time to come up with my incredible insight on...   0:14:52.4 Balaji Reddie: Correct.   0:14:52.9 Andrew Stotz: Bringing together all my experience.   0:14:55.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. So because I think I shared this with you before that when you read Mary Walton's book and he says, "No, I don't think I'm ready to establish an institute," and he only did it one month before he passed. So I think by that time he was quite sure what he created was quite amazing, and it'll stand the test of time, right? And although, the title of the book is The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education, I believe it is industry, government, education, and healthcare. Because when he was in Japan, he said Japan must see itself as a system. And when he got the Deming Medal, that's what he said. Oh, sorry, when he got the Emperor's Medal, the Second Order of the Sacred Treasure. And he was talking to the Japanese Prime Minister. And he said, "You all must see yourselves as a system." And the four sectors of industry, government, education, and healthcare must work together. So he meant it as in the broadest sense of the term, right? And that's why this word system. So the first thing, of course, cause and effect are not closely related. Seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. The third important thing here in systems thinking is the reductionist thinking that we have.   0:16:12.0 Balaji Reddie: We believe the word analysis means dissection. And if you look deeply and read the book Mind and the World Order, what is the purpose of analysis? The purpose of analysis is not dissection. That's just the act of breaking a system down. But the purpose of analysis is interrelationships, establishing the interrelationships or understanding the connectedness. And I find it quite funny because people say analysis is dissection, and so they came up with a new term, really not necessary, synthesis, bringing it all together. There was no need for that term. You're not engaging in what, tautology? [laughter] You didn't need that. Analysis itself means dissecting and understanding relationships, right?   0:17:02.2 Andrew Stotz: Hmm.   0:17:03.3 Balaji Reddie: And so he said here, we have that reductionist thinking, but we forget that in a system, you have what are called synergistic relationships. You cannot understand a system by breaking it down into its components and studying the components separately and then believing that the components and their attributes and what they do gives the output of what we see. No, you could be completely wrong here. It's not what they do separately. Okay, it's a good thing to understand the components of a system and study them and maybe even establish connectedness, but sometimes what the results you see are quite contrary to what they could be giving separately. I'll give you an example here. Take the case of water. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. You cannot study and draw conclusions about water by studying the attributes of hydrogen and oxygen separately. You'd be making a mistake, a grave error. Okay, let's do that. Hydrogen, a highly inflammable gas, catches fire like this. Oxygen feeds fire. But you put them together and they give you something that quenches fire. Hydrogen is not wet. Oxygen is not wet. But water is wet. [laughter] How do you explain this?   0:18:25.9 Balaji Reddie: All right. If you take the case of sugar, it's a hydrocarbon. Try tasting hydrogen. All right, try tasting carbon. Now put them together and see what you get. Now, can it not be then that you are studying a system and when you break things down and you're studying the components separately, you could be making the same error? It's not what they do separately, it's what they do together. It's the same with sections in a company, departments in a company, companies themselves. Today, we use this sophisticated term, supply chain, call it what you will. I love to use the word provider network. I don't like using the word supplier any longer. I like to use the word provider, because today we're living in a different world. We're getting activities done by someone else, and you can't say he's supplying me this activity. He's providing me this service, right? So provider is a better term to use than supplier. And it's no longer a chain. It's a network, right? It's more lateral. It's all over the place. It's not linear. You're doing a huge disservice by using the term supply chain, because it's not bringing out what exactly is happening right there.   0:19:38.3 Balaji Reddie: And today's supply chains or provider networks are globally dispersed. So you need to have something that connects them. You just said that, the farmer could be in a different country, speaking a different language, maybe he didn't even know where it is being used, and they could hate each other, but they have to work, [laughter] you need to work together. So there's some kind of connectedness that comes in once again. But here's where people make mistakes. So you're talking about synergistic relationships. So sometimes in a team, now here's where all that incentive pay and choosing employee of the month can destroy a system.   0:20:18.8 Balaji Reddie: It could have been the entire team that did well, and they did well because they worked as a team. And it was synergistic, where some components had to, I can't use the right word, but maybe had to underperform so that the system came out ahead. It's like the organs of the human body, right? That's an interconnected, interdependent system. You have a primary function of each of the organs, but there are many other functions we are still discovering, right? For example, if you take the case of ears, besides hearing, they're responsible for balance in our body, right? Eyes, besides sight, they are also responsible for balance in our body. If you try this yoga position, you know, there's a yoga, so to say, yeah, you stand on one leg. And then you lift one leg off the ground and put the ball of your heel on the knee, the other leg's knee. And then you hold your hands above your head to form like a namaste or a triangle. As long as your eyes are open, you stand upright. Shut your eyes, you fall. It's a system and we don't even realize it, right? So this is something we're still...   0:21:38.3 Andrew Stotz: You also fall in that posture when your teacher says, as mine did once, "Now you're in the position. Now raise your other leg."   [laughter]   0:21:54.5 Andrew Stotz: My yoga teacher didn't come yesterday, but I did my sessions every day. But I haven't been able to do that one yet.   0:22:03.6 Balaji Reddie: We had that joke in school. Why does the crane stand on one leg? [laughter] 'Cause if it raised the other leg, it'd fall. [laughter] So it continues standing on one leg. So yes. So you have the synergistic relationships which exist, all right? And it's so difficult then to establish these interrelationships. And sometimes they're visible, sometimes they're not, all right? And sometimes you get to see the results right up front. Sometimes you get to see them in time delay. And that is why Deming said continual improvement. It never stops. Continual learning. You can never say you have complete knowledge of a process or a system. You can never say that, right? And now comes the best part. When you say here that all these are interconnected and there's synergy and then there's cause and effect not closely related in time and space, the output of a system, that is why, is subject to variation. And that's why the study of variation becomes important, right?   0:23:16.2 Balaji Reddie: And when you draw a diagram saying, suppose you say this is a system and all the components are there and you draw the interconnectedness and you draw an arrow and you say, "Okay, you're getting the system is subject to variation," right? Can you with absolute certainty say that because here, because the funny thing is each of the component's performance is also subject to variation, right? So can you say that, this combination gave me this output? You can never say that. You can only say it's probable, might be somewhere here. And so I think Walter Shewhart's greatness was in recognizing that what is natural to a system and what is not natural. When do you start asking the question, "What do I know about this?" When you cannot predict. When you can predict with a certain amount of certainty that this is going to happen.   0:24:14.6 Balaji Reddie: It is between these two limits. Well, then that's when you say, "Okay, I think I know quite a bit about this, but I don't know much. I want to reduce those limits, because I want to be as certain as possible when I make a prediction." And that was what was continual learning. It was not so much about cost. It was as much as it had to do about understanding and predicting. I know what's going to happen next. To a certain extent, this will happen. This will happen, right? And that's where the understanding of variation comes in. Okay, and then he brought in the third, that in variation, you saw that there were what he called as random variation and assignable variation, or what Deming had common and special cause variation. Common causes belong to the system and special causes are alien to the system under study, right? And so say it's easier to identify the special causes because they tell you something is not right. And so you can say, "I know it happened." You can isolate and say, "This is the cause," right? It makes it easier for you then to isolate that, study it, but...   0:25:30.1 Andrew Stotz: I just had that happen this morning.   0:25:32.4 Balaji Reddie: Okay.   0:25:33.7 Andrew Stotz: I'll give you an example.   0:25:35.2 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, sure.   0:25:36.0 Andrew Stotz: I've been working with my accounting team and what we're trying to do is make sure we have on-time and accurate monthly financial statements. And I've chosen those words very, very carefully. And what I've done with the team is ask them, there's no pressure in this. All I'm asking you to do is pick a day that you think we will be able to have on-time and accurate monthly financial statements. And then they pick their days for each month to the end of the year, which pretty much certainty accounting is a repeating of a similar function. And so then as I was talking with them throughout that day, I said, "Why are these boxes piled up around here?" And they said, "Well, the room that we store them in is getting full." The paper, 'cause you have a regulation in Thailand, you have to have your accounting documents for up to six or eight years on premises in case the revenue department comes. So I said, "Well, show me that room." And we went to the room and it was an absolute mess. It's like people have been dumping boxes and papers in there for five years.   0:26:51.6 Balaji Reddie: Wow.   0:26:52.6 Andrew Stotz: And I said, "Okay. You got to clean up this room this month." They're like, "Ah, it's going to take us two months." I said, "Look, this is critical." And they agreed. And so they have now completed that task, but it consumed so much of their time to do that. And it looks beautiful now. But they're two days late on the on-time and accurate monthly financials. And if we were to look at that on a control chart, we would see that it's a big deviation from what they've been able to do. But that special cause is almost meaningless, just as meaningless as the random variation in the sense that this was just a simple situation where there was a trade-off, they made the trade-off, and it's an acceptable trade-off.   0:27:43.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah, I'd like to put it this way. When you know why it has happened, it's not that harmful, right? As long as you can predict when we do something. It's the unpredictability that makes a special cause harmful. And that's why when I used the term that Deming's thinking was about reducing or eliminating harmful variation, that is things which get out of your hand and you usually don't know why it's happening. So once you get to know, I believe that this could be connected, yeah, that's a good place to start, right?   0:28:15.7 Andrew Stotz: Yeah. Now, someone that doesn't understand the situation and look back over time may not understand what that cause was, which I'm thinking that I want to develop kind of a note-taking system where we actually write down what was that so that we have a record and an understanding of it. But...   0:28:37.1 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. And so when you say here that there's so many, that complete knowledge is not possible, and that's where you start thinking that was Deming being a pessimist to say complete knowledge is not possible, unknown and unknowable. But no, he was just being realistic. But he did not leave us right there. He said the way you can make the unknown as known as possible is through the theory of knowledge. And that's how the whole thing is. It's beautifully done, what the theory of knowledge is. But he says here, very simply, one of those exercises which you see in the new edition of The New Economics on page 58. But if you go to the old edition, right? That's, I believe, on... Where would that be? Page 84. The example he gives there, effect, the plans and their effect, area A, B, and C, the matrix diagram, if you see that?   0:29:50.0 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:29:50.5 Balaji Reddie: That he says was devised by Henry. And then, of course, he picked on that and put it into his book. I got a chance to actually work on this in the form of a game. And the game, I would break up the audience into four or five groups of five people each and then say, "You're department A, department B, department C," and then have a host of projects lined up for them. And I say, "Now you're going to be ranked and rated based on how you do as a department." And so they would choose those projects where only they were benefiting, right? And obviously, that's what you see in the first table. A chooses three projects, and B chooses two projects, and C chooses three projects. And you see the plus signs there indicating that it's for them, for them alone. And then they are exposed to the fact that, wait a minute, now we're going to give you some extra information. You chose these projects because they were good for you, but now we're going to tell you that these were bad for the others, right? And only one of them was good.   0:30:59.9 Balaji Reddie: And I say, "Okay, now here's this extra information you've been given. Now what are you going to do?" All right. And I said, "I'm giving you five minutes to... Because the company is going to do badly, right? And even though you get a good rating, but the company does badly and eventually the company might have to shut down. So what would you want to do now? I'm giving you five minutes to rectify this." You know, Andrew, not even five minutes was necessary. They would come back within two or three minutes and say, "Let's just choose those projects where everyone gains." And I was surprised the first time that happened. And that's why Deming said cooperation is the key and it is natural. It's just that we have brought in this competition thing. So competition is not natural. He says cooperation is natural. [laughter]   0:31:53.9 Andrew Stotz: And that, in Asia, and I can speak to Thailand, what I like to tell people here in Thailand for managers and people running business is that the core strength of Thai people is that they want to work together. So when you break them up and you put them into groups and then you incentivize them either by group or by individual, you destroy one of their core strengths.   0:32:28.7 Balaji Reddie: Right.   0:32:29.1 Andrew Stotz: That's not a core strength of American. A lot of Americans don't want to work together. They just want to do their own thing. Right? They've been trained to be independent and they don't want that hassle. But in Asia, particularly in Thailand, where we're struggling to bring more and more value, what's happened is the KPI mentality of divide and conquer really is damaging. And it brings me to another point or question that I wanted to mention, and that is about the natural... My mom has a saying, and it's "inch by inch, it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's hard." And what she was telling me was to break things down into manageable parts and then work on the next right part, and then you will start to make progress. And we have studied under Adam Smith and the concept of how division of labor brings value, can increase output. And so there's a whole side of things. And then we're incentivized as individuals, particularly in the West, but let's say generally that, if it's to be, it's going to be up to you and you got to make yourself performance and your department's performance. I don't care about the others. I care about what you're doing with yours.   0:32:54.6 Andrew Stotz: So there's an accountability aspect and it all comes together to give people the perception that, hey, I need to break this down into smaller parts. And so there's just this natural inclination to do that. And if you were to say to people, you can't break it down into individual parts, that also doesn't work. You have to be able to understand the different parts and their interconnectedness, going back to what you're saying.   0:34:26.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:34:27.1 Andrew Stotz: But there's a lot of different things that I'm saying here. But I think the thing that I'm saying is that the pressure on most people is to divide and conquer, to say, "I'm going to go and look at this department and you and your performance." And what Deming was saying was, you've got to look wider than that if you're really going to be successful. Tell me where I'm right or wrong or give me some guidance.   0:34:53.5 Balaji Reddie: Yeah. I mean, that's exactly how it is. And I just told you that when I saw this happen, it was like an eye-opener. And then what happened after that was, okay, there were some other projects which where we were not going to do well, but the company's going to come out ahead. So why don't we choose those? And that's exactly what you see in the table, that they choose certain projects where they themselves are... Now that's real optimization, right? That's getting the best for everyone.   0:35:23.4 Andrew Stotz: Yeah.   0:35:24.8 Balaji Reddie: And today it's become an overused and abused term. For anything they use the word optimize. I think Deming was way very clear about this 30 years ago when he came up with this idea. And he said it's for everybody to gain. It's not compromise, it's optimization. Right? So I, of course, have a different take on optimize and we'll see that next week when we come into four parts of profound knowledge. So I'd like to end here with talking about cooperation is the key and I think we realized why.   0:35:59.1 Andrew Stotz: Okay.   0:35:59.8 Balaji Reddie: Deming says it's not about each other, it's win-win. The system should... And he gives that lovely example in the same chapter, the last example, where he talks about the truck company, the two truckers who used to keep their establishment open. Alternately overnight so that both could gain and they would use each other's resources. He said, "I was surprised when I called the pickup truck and I saw that the truck was from his competitor. He sent his competitor's truck to pick up my car." That was a classic case of cooperation. So since he ends with that, he ends that chapter, I'd like to also speak about that. Cooperation is the key because we are dealing with something very complex, right? And none of us is as strong as all of us. It's not just about, like you said, because cause and effect are not closely related, it is imperative now that we need to work together. So that was with systems thinking. Cause and effect are not closely related. There exist synergistic relationships. Seemingly disconnected events turn out to be connected. And outputs are the result of a myriad of inputs. You can never say you know everything. So that was systems thinking for you as they apply to the elements of profound knowledge as well.   0:37:33.3 Andrew Stotz: Great.   0:37:33.7 Balaji Reddie: Next week, we'll get into profound knowledge.   0:37:37.1 Andrew Stotz: You know, I think my ending thought on this goes back to the concept of meditation.   0:37:45.4 Balaji Reddie: Okay.   0:37:45.9 Andrew Stotz: Concept of insight meditation or Vipassana or...   0:37:52.6 Balaji Reddie: Vipassana.   0:37:53.7 Andrew Stotz: Yeah. So part of what I understand about meditation is the idea of clearing our mind in this moment. It may also be just observing our mind and just observing all that's happening and going on, which is fine. And let's say that a meditation master may be able to clear their mind. But let's just say that what we're trying to do is come down to this instant, this moment. And I remember during COVID when a lot of pressures were on in my business and stuff, I used to meditate and focus on one saying, which is, "I'm okay right now at this moment."   0:38:36.7 Balaji Reddie: Right.   0:38:37.1 Andrew Stotz: And why this is interesting is because let's say this moment is time zero. What you've just explained is that there's about 50 million things before time zero that have been connected in one way or another that got you to time zero.   0:38:55.1 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:38:55.3 Andrew Stotz: And you also said that a system, as Deming said, is a system includes the future.   0:39:00.2 Balaji Reddie: Future.   0:39:01.2 Andrew Stotz: And that's going to be a function of all the different things that happen after time zero, the interconnected things. And it just made me realize, ah, so the value of meditation, I can see it even more now when I think about all the connections on both the future side and the past side. And so it just helped me think about it from that perspective, a little bit different, but anyways.   0:39:23.4 Balaji Reddie: Yep.   0:39:24.9 Andrew Stotz: So I just want to thank you for taking the time. And in fact, what I was thinking is that I need to do more interviews with our advisors and other board members of the Institute, including yourself, because they've all got a lot to say. And I've got some discussions going on with that right now. So I'm looking forward to that. And so I appreciate the discussion and the journey that you're taking us on. And just for the listeners out there, remember to go to deming.org and jump into DemingNEXT to continue your journey.   0:40:03.8 Balaji Reddie: Yes, absolutely.   0:40:05.3 Andrew Stotz: There's so much, so much to learn and explore. So I'm going to wrap it up there. This is your host, Andrew Stotz, and I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Deming, and that is, "People are entitled," that includes you...   0:40:21.7 Balaji Reddie: Yes.   0:40:22.4 Andrew Stotz: Are entitled to joy in work.

Sound is the most subtle of the senses.And according to the Vedas, because it is the most subtle, it is also the most powerful.What you speak, how you speak, and what you allow yourself to hear shapes the quality of your mind, your consciousness, and ultimately the person you become.Recorded live during a sound healing evening in London, Dylan Smith explores the Vedic understanding of sound, speech, hearing, and consciousness. Beginning with the science of vibration and moving into the philosophy of speech, this talk reveals why sound has always been regarded as one of the most transformative forces in human life.From Ayurvedic practices for supporting ear health to the extraordinary concept of Vāk Siddhi, where speech gains the power to manifest reality, this episode offers a profound perspective on the relationship between sound and spiritual development.Whether you're interested in mantra, meditation, Ayurveda, or simply becoming more conscious of the words you speak and hear, this conversation offers practical wisdom and timeless insight.In This Episode, We Cover:• Why sound is considered the most subtle and most powerful sense• The relationship between sound, consciousness, and the sense organs• The four Vedas and the significance of celestial sounds• The teaching of Satyam Brūyāt, Priyam Brūyāt: speak truth, speak sweetly• Ayurvedic practices for supporting ear health and auditory capacity• Karna Poorna, Gandusha, and Nasya for the health of the senses• How sound influences the mind and shapes perception• The cultivation of divine hearing (Śravaṇa)• Why mantras are traditionally repeated inwardly rather than aloud• Vāk Siddhi and the power of pure speech• The role of Udāna Vāta in expression, communication, and manifestation• Practical ways to become more conscious of what you hear and speakAbout Dylan SmithDylan Smith is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, educator, and founder of Vital Veda.Drawing from the classical Vedic sciences of Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotiṣa, and Vedānta, Dylan is dedicated to making authentic Vedic knowledge practical and accessible for modern life.Through consultations, education, herbal medicine, and community events, he helps people cultivate greater health, vitality, and self-awareness while preserving the integrity of traditional wisdom.Resources & LinksKarna Poorna OilGandusha OilNasika OilSelf-Pulse Online TrainingBook a Consultation with Dylan SmithJivita Ayurveda LondonRelated EpisodesMantra Śāstra: The Ancient Science of Sound | Purnesh (#148)Sanskrit & Vedic Chanting | Samadhi Collective (#066)Bhakti Music & Kirtan | Jahnavi Harrison (#119)Sacred Sounds & Kirtan | Vijay Krishna (#130)Bhakti Yoga & Rock Star Devotion | Raghunath Cappo (#068)Support the show

Recently, we've been having some discussions around the finer, more esoteric ideas around mantra sādhanā from the very refined manuals and exegetical works of the 10th and 11th masters of classical Tantra like Maheśvarānanda & Abhinava Gupta and others. In How Mantra Works & My Favorite Śakti Mantra we explained mantra-sādhanā in a properly śaktādvaita (non-dual) context and then extended from there in Kālī Gāyatrī Mantra | & How To Use Mantras to consider how the mantra can then be applied in a more traditional ritualistic, contemplative and meditative context (which Abhinavācharya might call "ānavopaya" or what we might recognize as more exoteric, mainstream Tāntrik sādhanā). In this class, we turn to an even finer and subtler approach regarding mantra which considers the phonemic foundations to make a claim about how bījā mantras are formed. Most of this material appears in Abhinava's Chapter III of the Tantrāloka & Tantrasāra but the precedent for this is in primary sources like the Nandikeśvara Tantra and even the Maheśvara Sutras from Pāninī which offer very early analysis on Sanskrit phonemes and the logic around how mantras arise and how they work. Once we do this kind of deconstruction (or rather, once we understand things at this level of resolution which arguable is the closest zoom in to mantra sādhana we've ever done together) we should be able to see how all sounds are mantras and how all words, in all languages can not just be empowered as mantras and used accordingly but also how they can be recognized to be inherent mantra whose meaning is Consciousness, i.e You.Hit Me Up xSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

An important talk looking at some key ideas from a very esoteric, advanced Tāntrik text from the Non-Dual Kaula Śākta (left hand path) tradition to completely revolutionize how we see pūjā, ceremonial worship (by investigating the meaning of the Sanskrit word for "flower", the central offering in pūjā) and how we see spiritual life as a whole. This talk slaps, you guys, if I may say so myself... Hit Me Up xSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Sanskrit hymns of praise (stotra/stuti/stava) have been popular and influential within multiple religious traditions for thousands of years. Sanskrit hymns remain lively, meaningful parts of the religious lives of countless Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains today, and new stotras continue to be composed and recited around the world. The academic study of these hymns has made notable progress in recent decades as scholars have paid increasing attention to such compositions. A valuable pedagogical resource for educators teaching about Asian religions and literature, especially in comparative contexts, Sanskrit Hymns Across Traditions: Studying Stotras (Routledge, 2026) also establishes the foundation for future research and scholarship on a genre of religious poetry popular across South Asian religious traditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This morning, just after the program at the Rādhā Govinda Mandir, I took a walk down Nevin Street and turned the corner to the CVS. As I was waiting for Nirākulā Devī Dāsī, my wife—who had some items to purchase—I was chanting outside. I saw a father and son come out; his little boy was probably six, and his face was puckered, and he was crying. His father said to him, "Tell me in words, why you're crying. What's the matter?" But he could only cry. I walked into the store to see, was there something that he wanted or needed in there? I couldn't see anything. What's more, most things were locked up—even the toothpaste, razor blades, anything of significant value was locked behind glass—and I started thinking, "No wonder he's crying." And then I thought, "This is us here in this world; everything we want, that we desire, is locked up." You have to work hard to get anything in this world. The one thing that is free, we don't ask for: it is God's grace. It falleth from the heavens like rain, sun-strained. It comes to everyone, but we're looking for many things that are not worthy of looking for. They're beneath our dignity as souls—the things we seek in this world. So, we have an opportunity to take what's been given to us for free, which gives the highest reward, and it only requires a sincere heart to sing the names of Kṛṣṇa and call out. The mantra is written in a form which allows us to simply call out. We don't need to know any Sanskrit; we just need to have a heart which is yearning to reconnect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And here's a tune that we do sing when we're in Vṛndāvana and Govardhana Hill, where the devotees naturally love Kṛṣṇa—and at Govardhana Hill every day, they walk around and think of Kṛṣṇa and all those pastimes there in Vṛndāvana. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://vaisesikadasayatra.blogspot.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 https://thefourquestionsbook.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=launch2025 ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #kirtan #spiritualmusic #mantramusic #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

The wheels of justice grind slow, but fine. The truth eventually rises to the top. "Truth at last cannot be hidden. Nothing is hidden under the sun." Leonardo da Vinci wrote those words in his notebooks. Thousands of years earlier, Manu arrived at exactly the same place — the sky witnesses, the earth witnesses, the waters witness, and the God within the heart witnesses. There is an anxiety that comes with secrecy — a low-grade unease that will not go away. Whatever is true will find its way through. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that principle alongside one of the most extraordinary moments in the Srimad Bhagavatam — where the name that the Vedic tradition has been building toward through thousands of verses finally rises to the surface, hidden inside a single Sanskrit word, like butter churned from yogurt. Radha. Churn the practice long enough and the essence always rises. ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************