Podcast appearances and mentions of Surya Das

Assamese Modern Song. Artist Surya Das my November Bora

Quên Đi Quá Khứ, Sống Đời Tự Tại - Surya Das

Lama Surya Das offers timeless wisdom in a message of hope that is helpful for us today and tomorrow. An authorized lama in the Dzogchen lineage of Tibet, Surya Das is a sought-after spiritual teacher and meditation master, poet, and spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhist movement. Founder of the Dzogchen Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts (www.dzogchen.org). Lama Surya Das is also the author of sixteen books including the best-selling Awakening the Buddha Within, “ Awakening To the Sacred” and “Awakening the Buddhist Heart.” He teaches and lectures globally, conducting dozens of meditation retreats and workshops each year. His lecture and retreat schedule can be viewed on his website www.surya.org. You can visit his blog at www.askthelama.com and follow him on Facebook (Lama Surya Das), Twitter (@LamaSuryaDas), and Instagram (lamasuryadasusa). Lama Surya Das lives in Lexington, Massachusetts. Live Event was held on Gratitude Groups Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/gratitudenow - Wednesday, March 3rd at 9PM EST / 6PM PST. Join the over 140,000 people sharing gratitude daily there. Connect with Co-Host and Gratitude Conductor Chris Palmore at https://www.gratitudespace.com/ and Check out his new book, "Dear Gratitude: An Anthology." https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Gratitude-Anthology-Chris-Palmore/dp/173613020X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gratitudespace/message

In this lively conversation, Surya Das recounts his own personal story on the spiritual path, from seeking to realizing, with all the trials and tribulations inherent in a journey without a goal. In this wide-ranging discussion of the obstacles and opportunities of bringing a new religion into a culture — in this case, Buddhism into America — Surya Das covers a multitude of critical issues, issues that confront not merely Buddhism but spirituality in general as it encounters the modern and postmodern world. One of the major difficulties is the reluctance of the older culture (such as Tibetan and Japanese) to release their teachings to “barbarians” (that would be us). Yet once the leap is made, the religion lands in a new culture where the obstacles can be even greater. Foremost among these include the dilution of the dharma; popularizing it to the extent that it no longer possesses any depth or liberating power; and “boomeritis Buddhism,” which Ken covers in galvanizing detail.

Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, one of the main interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, and a leading spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhism. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “The Western Lama.”Surya has spent over forty-five years studying Zen, vipassana, yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism with the great masters of Asia, including the Dalai Lama's own teachers, and has twice completed the traditional three-year meditation cloistered retreat at his teacher's Tibetan monastery. He is an authorized lama and lineage holder in the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism, and a close personal disciple of the leading grand lamas of that tradition. He is the founder of the Dzogchen Center and Foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and its branch centers around the country. Over the years, Surya has brought many Tibetan lamas to this country to teach and start centers and retreats. As founder of the Western Buddhist Teachers Network with the Dalai Lama, he regularly helps organize its international Buddhist Teachers Conferences. He is also active in interfaith dialogue and charitable projects in the Third World. In recent years, Lama Surya has turned his efforts and focus towards youth and contemplative education initiatives, what he calls “True higher education and wisdom for life training.”Lama Surya Das is a sought after speaker and lecturer, teaching and conducting meditation retreats and workshops around the world. He is a published author, translator, chant master (see Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart CD, with Stephen Halpern), and a regular blog contributor at The Huffington Post and Elephant Journal, as well as his own AskTheLama.com blog where he shares his thoughts and answers questions from the public.Surya Das has been featured in numerous publications and major media, including ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, New York Post, Long Island Newsday, Long Island Business Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, The Jewish Free Press, New Age Journal, Tricycle Magazine, Yoga Journal, The Oregonian, Science of Mind, and has been the subject of a seven-minute magazine story on CNN. One segment of the ABC-TV sitcom Dharma & Greg was based on his life (“Leonard's Return”). Surya has appeared on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and twice on The Colbert Report.Surya is the author of fourteen books which are must haves for everyones library.Follow Surya here: www.surya.org  www.dzogchen.orgFacebook- @lamasuryadasTwitter- @LamaSuryDasInstagram- @lamasuryadasusaSurya also has a virtual retreat coming up July 24-26, 2020. This is his annual summer meditation retreat that has been transformed into a virtual retreat, for obvious reasons.The direct link is https://dzogchen.org/virtual-meditation-retreat/To listen or watch my first episode with Lama Surya Das click here:https://stuartwatkins.org/podcast/lama-surya-das/With love,StuSupport the show (https://stuartwatkins.org/podcast/)

Join Andrew and Lama Surya Das for a truly delightful romp through a torrent of topics. This is a tour of mind and reality from a Tibetan Buddhist point of view, delivered by a senior figure of this noble tradition in the West. Surya Das starts with the role that dreams have played in his life, and the place of Dream Yoga in his two three-year retreats. The discussion then turns to blind spots (non-lucidity spots), and how we're all extremists and fundamentalists in our views of eternalism (reified reality). He then talks about the importance of the “Middle Way” between eternalism and nihilism, and not skidding into these ditches on either side of the road to awakening. Surya Das peppers in topics like the dangers of scientism and post-modernism, the joy of “playing jazz with the dharma,” and the place of preservation vs. adaptation in the transplantation of dharma in the West. The conversation turns to “substance abuse” at the level of thought addiction, and a look at the important difference between experience (nyam) vs. realization (tokpa) on the path. After a brief look at psychedelics, and revealing that LSD are his very initials, Lama Surya Das offers a “State of the Union” address about the status of Buddhism in the West: “Buddhism has been reduced to mindfulness, while Hinduism has been reduced to yoga.” A central narrative of the entire discussion is the absolute level teachings of non-duality, and the many “near enemies” that await one on the path. Lama-la talks about the importance of “Swooping down from above [absolute truth] while climbing up from below [relative truth],” and “Being now while getting there.” Sharing the neologisms that he is famous for, Surya Das openly radiates his passion and playfulness for the truth – no matter where it comes from. Don't let the levity of this conversation hide the profundity. Surya Das shares a lifetime of deep practice and study, delivered with wit and wisdom.--Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, one of the main interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, and a leading spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhism. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “The Western Lama.”Surya has spent over forty five years studying Zen, vipassana, yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism with the great masters of Asia, including the Dalai Lama's own teachers, and has twice completed the traditional three year meditation cloistered retreat at his teacher's Tibetan monastery. He is an authorized lama and lineage holder in the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism, and a close personal disciple of the leading grand lamas of that tradition.Lama Surya Das is a sought after speaker and lecturer, teaching and conducting meditation retreats and workshops around the world. He is a published author, translator, chant master (see Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart CD, with Stephen Halpern), and a regular blog contributor at The Huffington Post, as well as his own AskTheLama.com blog site where he shares his thoughts and answers questions from the public each week.

This is a 30 minute preview. To listen to the full interview - and get all of our premium content - join Night Club: Lucid Dreaming & Dream Yoga Community! For the full interview: ⭐ nightclub.andrewholecek.com/interviews/lama-surya-das Join Andrew and Lama Surya Das for a truly delightful romp through a torrent of topics. This is a tour of mind and reality from a Tibetan Buddhist point of view, delivered by a senior figure of this noble tradition in the West. Surya Das starts with the role that dreams have played in his life, and the place of Dream Yoga in his two three-year retreats. The discussion then turns to blind spots (non-lucidity spots), and how we're all extremists and fundamentalists in our views of eternalism (reified reality). He then talks about the importance of the “Middle Way” between eternalism and nihilism, and not skidding into these ditches on either side of the road to awakening. Surya Das peppers in topics like the dangers of scientism and post-modernism, the joy of “playing jazz with the dharma,” and the place of preservation vs. adaptation in the transplantation of dharma in the West. The conversation turns to “substance abuse” at the level of thought addiction, and a look at the important difference between experience (nyam) vs. realization (tokpa) on the path. After a brief look at psychedelics, and revealing that LSD are his very initials, Lama Surya Das offers a “State of the Union” address about the status of Buddhism in the West: “Buddhism has been reduced to mindfulness, while Hinduism has been reduced to yoga.” A central narrative of the entire discussion is the absolute level teachings of non-duality, and the many “near enemies” that await one on the path. Lama-la talks about the importance of “Swooping down from above [absolute truth] while climbing up from below [relative truth],” and “Being now while getting there.” Sharing the neologisms that he is famous for, Surya Das openly radiates his passion and playfulness for the truth – no matter where it comes from. Don't let the levity of this conversation hide the profundity. Surya Das shares a lifetime of deep practice and study, delivered with wit and wisdom. -- MORE ABOUT LAMA SURYA DAS Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, one of the main interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, and a leading spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhism. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “The Western Lama.” Surya has spent over forty five years studying Zen, vipassana, yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism with the great masters of Asia, including the Dalai Lama's own teachers, and has twice completed the traditional three year meditation cloistered retreat at his teacher's Tibetan monastery. He is an authorized lama and lineage holder in the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism, and a close personal disciple of the leading grand lamas of that tradition. Lama Surya Das is a sought after speaker and lecturer, teaching and conducting meditation retreats and workshops around the world. He is a published author, translator, chant master (see Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart CD, with Stephen Halpern), and a regular blog contributor at The Huffington Post, as well as his own AskTheLama.com blog site where he shares his thoughts and answers questions from the public each week.

By Janae Jean and Spencer Schluter For this interview, we had the honor to speak with Lama Surya Das, affectionately called “The Western Lama” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Surya Das is the author of 15 books, including his most recent book, his first children’s book, The Yeti and The Jolly Lama: A Tale …

Surya Das recounts his own personal story on the spiritual path, from seeking to realizing, with all the trials and tribulations inherent in a journey without a goal. In this wide-ranging discussion of the obstacles and opportunities of bringing a new religion into a culture — in this case, Buddhism into America — Surya Das covers a multitude of critical issues, issues that confront not merely Buddhism but spirituality in general as it encounters the modern and postmodern world. One of the major difficulties is the reluctance of the older culture (such as Tibetan and Japanese) to release their teachings to "barbarians" (that would be us). Yet once the leap is made, the religion lands in a new culture where the obstacles can be even greater. Foremost among these include the dilution of the dharma; popularizing it to the extent that it no longer possesses any depth or liberating power; and "boomeritis Buddhism," which Ken covers in galvanizing detail.

Surya Das recounts his own personal story on the spiritual path, from seeking to realizing, with all the trials and tribulations inherent in a journey without a goal. In this wide-ranging discussion of the obstacles and opportunities of bringing a new religion into a culture — in this case, Buddhism into America — Surya Das covers a multitude of critical issues, issues that confront not merely Buddhism but spirituality in general as it encounters the modern and postmodern world. One of the major difficulties is the reluctance of the older culture (such as Tibetan and Japanese) to release their teachings to "barbarians" (that would be us). Yet once the leap is made, the religion lands in a new culture where the obstacles can be even greater. Foremost among these include the dilution of the dharma; popularizing it to the extent that it no longer possesses any depth or liberating power; and "boomeritis Buddhism," which Ken covers in galvanizing detail.

S4P Radio, Season 2, Episode 4 with Lama Surya Das on Tibetan Dream Yoga Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “the American Lama”.  He has spent over forty-five years studying Zen, Vipassana, Yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism with many of the great old masters of Asia, among them, some of the Dalai Lama’s own teachers. He is an authorized lama in the Tibetan Buddhist order, a leading spokesperson for Buddhism and contemporary spirituality, a translator, poet, meditation master, chant master, and spiritual activist.  Lama Surya Das is the author of the international bestselling Awakening trilogy: Awakening the Buddha Within, Awakening to the Sacred andAwakening the Buddhist Heart, as well as his latest book, Make Me One with Everything: Buddhist Meditations To Awaken From The Illusion Of Separation and nine others.  In 1991 he established the Dzogchen Foundation and Dzogchen Retreats (www.dzogchen.org). In 1993,with the Dalai Lama, he founded the Western Buddhist Teachers Network and regularly organizes its International Buddhist Teachers’ Conferences. Today Lama Surya Das teaches and lectures around the world, conducting dozens of meditation retreats and workshops each year andis a regular contributor at The Huffington Postand Elephant Journal. His podcast “Awakening Now” can be found on the Be Here Now Network and his blog, Ask the Lamaat askthelama.com. Lama Surya’s lecture and retreat schedule can be viewed on his website surya.org. You can follow Lama on Facebook (Lama Surya Das), Twitter (@LamaSuryaDas), and Instagram (lamasuryadasusa). Lama Surya Das resides in Lexington, Massachusetts. In this awesome episode of Sleep4Performanc Radio, Surya Das and I discuss Tibetan Dream Yoga and much more, including; The basics of Buddhism Did the Buddha talk about sleep? How does meditation help you relax and reduce stress? Why and how meditation helps you sleep? Why does meditation make me less sleepy? The benefits of meditation retreats. Dream yoga, how it works? The benefits of dream yoga in our waking life How can people support the Dzogchen centre? Contact me at iandunican@sleep4performance.com.au or on Twitter @sleep4perform 

Surya Das and fellow spiritual and meditation teacher, Sally Kempton discuss the merging of the paths of devotion (Bhakti) and wisdom (Jnana) and how they've discovered the true inseparability of the two paths within their own lives. They illuminate on the topics of earnestness in our post-modern secular world, Tantra, meditation practice, the concept of altruistic enlightenment, and their respective Buddhist/Hindu lineages. Surya Das and Sally's conversation also explores how we balance the surrendering to grace that comes with walking the spiritual path, while also living in the world of "effort, energy and motivation." For more on Sally Kempton, please visit her website.

Surya Das touches on the natural and relaxed qualities of Dzogchen meditation, and answers questions on a variety of topics including decision making, balancing the meditative and contemplative mind, emptiness within awareness, sky gazing, and awareness-based meditation.  

Surya Das is joined by fellow MindPod natives, Raghu Markus and Kelly Rego, for a lighthearted discussion about the growing relationship between Western culture and the higher powers that have influenced previous generations. The perceived increase in altruistic sentiment among modern youth is highlighted as evidence for a rapidly evolving cultural consciousness. Other topics include the role and value of service, noble solitude, and the current state of political engagement.

Surya Das explains that Dozchen is not just a practice of the mind, but rather an exercise of the Spirit, a dance with the pure and primordial presence that we all have access to. It is the essence of who we are, not just what we become. Don’t bother the mind and it won’t bother you. Open mind, open heart, seeing through and being through. Question and answer topics include immediate versus ultimate enlightenment, relativity, and karma.

Surya Das offers a teaching on the wisdom of allowing, encouraging us to familiarize ourselves with a simple yet engaged lifestyle, learning to live in harmony with a deep appreciation for the full spectrum of our experience. Question and answer topics include the shifting of identity in practice, suffering and illusion, and the difference between separateness and autonomy.

Surya Das reflects on the bigger picture of the Great Perfection, as it relates to the art of acceptance within our practice. A little acceptance goes a long way as we continue to work on ourselves, moving toward the middle path of choiceless awareness. Question and answer topics center around meditation techniques and the evolution of practice.

Surya Das responds to audience questions on a variety of topics including transmission from teachers, the role of lineage, and working with reactivity. He explains that it is encouragement and inspiration that is conveyed from the great teachers, regardless of their time and place.

Daily life is where the rubber meets the road on the spiritual path, as we attempt to integrate our takeaways from retreat, travels, and other spiritual endeavors. Bringing the virtues of mindfulness into our home, work, and social environments is a profound offering, as well as an opportunity to both embody and further encourage the cultivation of these qualities. Surya Das outlines practical methods and means for carrying the Dharma out into the world and flourishing in all of our domains.

Surya Das responds to audience questions on a variety of topics including appropriate responses to fear, working with your demons, and the meditative practice known as Tonglen.

Surya Das describes the natural and awe-inspiring state of Dzogchen, before we begin to think and conceptualize the world around us. This initial moment of wonder is what we hope to connect with and reside in through our spiritual practice. Chains of discursive thinking tie us down to states of perceptual judgment and negative thought patterns. But a thought can’t distract you if there is no you to judge it. If we can cut the chain, we cut the Karma.

Surya Das gives a lucid discourse on some of the habits and thought patterns that lead us away from the clear vision of the View. He explains that there is no waiting or hoping, no comparing or competing within Dzogchen meditation. The practice is more about non-doing as we learn to leave it as it is. Question and answer topics include the nature of the mind, working with arising thoughts, and striving within meditation.

When it comes to leveraging the technologies of our time, Lama Surya Das is one of the most active American Buddhists around. He blogs, tweets, skypes, hosts webinars, and participates in virtual retreats. And yet he acknowledges that if it were completely up to him, he’d be leading meditation retreats in-person and writing books. We speak with Surya Das on why he has decided to engage these technologies, as opposed to treating them merely as distractions or as “necessary evils,” as so many teachers do. We explore both the upsides and downsides of what he refers to as, “beaming, streaming media.” As he points out during the interview, he feels he has two feet firmly planted in the old tradition, and two feet firmly planted in the new. What happens when someone is immersed in both? This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, Living in Buddha Standard Time. Episode Links: @LamaSuryaDas ( www.twitter.com/LamaSuryaDas ) www.Surya.org The Tao of Twitter: The Spirit in the Machine ( http://bit.ly/9wtD4c ) Dzogchen Center ( http://dzogchen.org )

Surya Das describes the direct access we have to the Great Perfection that embodies all that is, just as it is. This innate wakefulness is a practice of refining our inner gold by looking deeper to discover the light within everything and everyone. Question and answer topics include discriminating between resting in the moment and laziness, and working with fear and anxiety.

Surya Das explains that the mind is not the right tool for moving through the narrow pass in getting from here to ‘totally here’. He encourages us to step out and go beyond the here and now in an effort to actualize the inherent freedom of being. “Naked awareness, pure presence, that is the way”.

Surya Das outlines the three main forms of practice within Dzogchen, which includes Ru Shan(subtle discernment), Trekcho (cutting through), and Togal (being there). He explains the more immediate implications of this particular path in its attempt to bring enlightenment that is congruent with the reality we are experiencing now. Also discussed are the distinctions between the ‘swooping down’ method of Dzogchen in relation to the more ‘bottom up’ approach of traditional Buddhism. A question and answer session provokes discussions of merit, karma, separation and illusion.

Raghu Markus joins his longtime spiritual friend for an intimate look into Surya Das’ new book, “Make Me One with Everything”. The Guru brothers dive deep into the true meaning of ‘Inter Meditation’, as well as the attitudinal transformations promoted through the Lojong method. Surya Das shares some of his early encounters with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Raghu inquires about the crucial differences between self-compassion and self-cherishing. Our local Lama leads a beautiful meditation to close out this insightful exchange.

This week we talk to Lama Surya Das about looking beyond ourselves Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, one of the main interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, and a leading spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhism. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “The Western Lama.” Surya has spent over forty five years studying Zen, vipassana, yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism with the great masters of Asia, including the Dalai Lama's own teachers, and has twice completed the traditional three-year meditation cloistered retreat at his teacher's Tibetan monastery. Surya Das has been featured in numerous publications and major media, including ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, The Washington Post, One segment of the ABC-TV sitcom Dharma & Greg was based on his life (“Leonard's Return”). Surya has appeared on Politically Correct with Bill Maher, and twice on The Colbert Report. Surya is the author of thirteen books, his latest is called Make Me One With Everything: Buddhist Meditations to Awaken from the Illusion of Separation.  In This Interview Surya and I Discuss... The One You Feed parable. The Concept of Inter-Meditation. The Us vs.Them problem. Furthering a collective awakening versus only individual awakening. The process of gazing meditation. For more show notes visit our website Some of our most popular interviews that you might also enjoy: Dan Harris Maria Popova Todd Henry- author of Die Empty Randy Scott Hyde See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the inaugural episode of "Awakening Now," Lama Surya Das is joined by MindPod Networkers Raghu Markus and Noah Lampert. Surya Das answers Noah's questions about dreams, the state of the world today, non-duality and shares a bonus story about how Surya Das got his name. Raghu also shares a quote about faith from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche which allows Surya Das the opportunity to compare blind, intuitive and experiential faith.

Surya Das joins Ram Dass for a puja side chat at Ram Dass' home on Maui. Surya Das is a bhakta as well as an American Lama. They explore questions like, "What is our true sadhana (spiritual practice)?" - "Are we egos or dharma masters? Or are we simply two brothers on the path to the Guru's feet?" Ram Dass talks about doing practices consciously, giving the example of yoga, where each pose is "shaking hands with God." Surya Das asks, "What keeps us from remembering God in each moment of our lives?"

American Lama Surya Das talks with us about his sixties influences such as folk music, John Lennon, and his early questioning of the meaning of life. He carefully compares these times for the current youth generation to our own, where crises often happen along with optimistic youth outreach.  He tells us more about the Dzogchen Buddhist Mindrolling tradition. He remembers being with Neem Karoli Baba and how he absorbed the Buddhist wisdom.  Surya Das gets into the path to authentic life balance and letting be.  He discusses his “WOW” suggestion – Wishing Others Well and the loving kindness practice.  He mentions how H.H. The Dalai Lama encouraged him to practice “compassionate action.”

The Western Lama, as he is affectionately called by the Dalai Lama, Surya Das is a sought-after speaker and teacher. We are honored to have the opportunity to talk to him this week as he assists us in the awakening process. A published poet, translator and chantmaster, with over 35 years of study in Zen, vipassana, yoga and Tibetan Buddhism with the great masters of Asia, including the Dalai Lama's own teachers, the authorized Lama has also authored several books, his most recent: “The Mind is Mightier Than the Sword: Enlightening the Mind, Opening The Heart.” Founder of many Buddhist and spiritual organizations that help to increase our global awareness, his list of accomplishments is simply too great to mention here but suffice it to say that you are going to get the chance to hear from him directly as we discuss the essential meaning of life and the process of waking up. Do NOT miss this show.