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Kevin Townley Jr. is one of those fascinatingly multi-talented creative people who doesn't fit neatly into any box—he's an actor, filmmaker, writer, meditation teacher, and now author of "Look, Look, Look, Look, Look Again," a book that connects 26 artists to Tibetan Buddhist teachings about transforming negative emotions into wisdom. His upbringing was pretty wild: raised in 1990s Colorado by his father in a spiritual commune filled with tarot cards, alchemy experiments, and Native American rituals after his parents had a messy divorce (his mom literally punched his dad in the school playground). Despite growing up poor and dealing with instability, Kevin learned early on to embrace his theatrical, queer sensibility—dyeing his hair orange and wearing purple suits to middle school as an act of defiant self-expression that basically made bullies back off. He didn't formally start practicing Buddhism until his 30s, though it was always part of his world growing up in Boulder's spiritual scene. Now he's making independent films the DIY way, gathering NYC creative friends to shoot projects over months without traditional Hollywood budgets or gatekeeping. His approach to everything—from Buddhism to filmmaking—seems to be about creating nurturing, non-judgmental spaces where people can express themselves authentically. The whole conversation reveals someone who turned a chaotic childhood into a superpower: an ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles and to gather communities around creative visions without manipulation or cruelty. BIO: Kevin Townley is a writer, filmmaker, actor, singer, and meditation teacher. He began formally studying Buddhism in 2010 and currently practices with the Sokuko-Ji Zen community under the guidance of Kyoun Sokuzan. He has taught Buddhism and meditation for over a decade. His film and television work include appearances in My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Men in Black III, The Detour, and Law & Order. With his band, Bambï, Townley adapted Rossner's Looking for Mr. Goodbar into the rock opera called GOODBAR, performed at The Public Theater. He has written extensively for the Waterwell theater company and Rookiemagazine. He has also led hundreds of art tours in museums across the United States, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.
In this episode, Sean MacCracken reflects on his experience at the American Academy of Religion, noticing a shift toward more participatory, contemplative, and integrative approaches in religious studies. He discusses his course, Kashmiri Shaivism: Supreme Non-Dualism, highlighting how meditation, contemplation, and embodied practices cultivate awareness, ethical self-reflection, and creative engagement with the world. Sean also explores how his study of Indian philosophy and Tantric traditions opens broader, integral ways of knowing that move beyond reductionist frameworks. He discusses his article, “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue,” showing how Buddhist and Tantric insights deepen our understanding of humanism, development, and collective ethical responsibility. This episode offers listeners a glimpse into how contemplative and Integralist approaches can reshape learning, thinking, and living—showing philosophy as a path toward grounded, ethically engaged, and transformative ways of being in the world. Sean K. MacCracken is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies. He recieved a M.A. and Ph.D in Asian and Comparative Studies from CIIS, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from University of Virginia. “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue” https://processcenturypress.com/unprecedented-evolution-continuities-and-discontinuities-between-human-and-animal-life-and-the-future-of-humanity/ The EWP Podcast credits Connect with EWP: Website • Youtube • Facebook Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (EWP PhD grad) Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay Music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra 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
In this episode, Sean MacCracken reflects on his experience at the American Academy of Religion, noticing a shift toward more participatory, contemplative, and integrative approaches in religious studies. He discusses his course, Kashmiri Shaivism: Supreme Non-Dualism, highlighting how meditation, contemplation, and embodied practices cultivate awareness, ethical self-reflection, and creative engagement with the world. Sean also explores how his study of Indian philosophy and Tantric traditions opens broader, integral ways of knowing that move beyond reductionist frameworks. He discusses his article, “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue,” showing how Buddhist and Tantric insights deepen our understanding of humanism, development, and collective ethical responsibility. This episode offers listeners a glimpse into how contemplative and Integralist approaches can reshape learning, thinking, and living—showing philosophy as a path toward grounded, ethically engaged, and transformative ways of being in the world. Sean K. MacCracken is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies. He recieved a M.A. and Ph.D in Asian and Comparative Studies from CIIS, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from University of Virginia. “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue” https://processcenturypress.com/unprecedented-evolution-continuities-and-discontinuities-between-human-and-animal-life-and-the-future-of-humanity/ The EWP Podcast credits Connect with EWP: Website • Youtube • Facebook Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (EWP PhD grad) Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay Music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies
In this episode, Sean MacCracken reflects on his experience at the American Academy of Religion, noticing a shift toward more participatory, contemplative, and integrative approaches in religious studies. He discusses his course, Kashmiri Shaivism: Supreme Non-Dualism, highlighting how meditation, contemplation, and embodied practices cultivate awareness, ethical self-reflection, and creative engagement with the world. Sean also explores how his study of Indian philosophy and Tantric traditions opens broader, integral ways of knowing that move beyond reductionist frameworks. He discusses his article, “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue,” showing how Buddhist and Tantric insights deepen our understanding of humanism, development, and collective ethical responsibility. This episode offers listeners a glimpse into how contemplative and Integralist approaches can reshape learning, thinking, and living—showing philosophy as a path toward grounded, ethically engaged, and transformative ways of being in the world. Sean K. MacCracken is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies. He recieved a M.A. and Ph.D in Asian and Comparative Studies from CIIS, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from University of Virginia. “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue” https://processcenturypress.com/unprecedented-evolution-continuities-and-discontinuities-between-human-and-animal-life-and-the-future-of-humanity/ The EWP Podcast credits Connect with EWP: Website • Youtube • Facebook Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (EWP PhD grad) Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay Music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions
In this episode, Sean MacCracken reflects on his experience at the American Academy of Religion, noticing a shift toward more participatory, contemplative, and integrative approaches in religious studies. He discusses his course, Kashmiri Shaivism: Supreme Non-Dualism, highlighting how meditation, contemplation, and embodied practices cultivate awareness, ethical self-reflection, and creative engagement with the world. Sean also explores how his study of Indian philosophy and Tantric traditions opens broader, integral ways of knowing that move beyond reductionist frameworks. He discusses his article, “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue,” showing how Buddhist and Tantric insights deepen our understanding of humanism, development, and collective ethical responsibility. This episode offers listeners a glimpse into how contemplative and Integralist approaches can reshape learning, thinking, and living—showing philosophy as a path toward grounded, ethically engaged, and transformative ways of being in the world. Sean K. MacCracken is adjunct faculty at California Institute of Integral Studies. He recieved a M.A. and Ph.D in Asian and Comparative Studies from CIIS, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from University of Virginia. “Regarding Humanism: Some Observations Concerning the Tibetan Buddhist and Transhumanist Dialogue” https://processcenturypress.com/unprecedented-evolution-continuities-and-discontinuities-between-human-and-animal-life-and-the-future-of-humanity/ The EWP Podcast credits Connect with EWP: Website • Youtube • Facebook Hosted by Stephen Julich (EWP Core Faculty) and Jonathan Kay (EWP PhD grad) Produced by: Stephen Julich and Jonathan Kay Edited and Mixed by: Jonathan Kay Music: Mosaic, by Monsoon on the album Mandala Introduction Voiceover: Roche Wadehra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/central-asian-studies
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion
Politics of Tranquility: The Material and Mundane Lives of Buddhist Nuns in Post-Mao Tibet (Cornell University Press, 2025) concerns the Tibetan Buddhist revival in China, illustrating the lives of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and exploring the political effects that arise from their nonpolitical daily engagements in the remote, mega-sized Tibetan Buddhist encampment of Yachen Gar. Yasmin Cho's book challenges two assumptions about Tibetan Buddhist communities in China. First, against the assumption that a Buddhist monastic community is best understood in terms of its esoteric qualities, Cho focuses on the material and mundane daily practices that are indispensable to the existence and persistence of such a community and shows how deeply gendered these practices are. Second, against the assumption that Tibetan politics toward the Chinese state is best understood as rebellious, incendiary, and centered upon Tibetan victimhood, the nuns demonstrate how it can be otherwise. Tibetan politics can be unassuming, calm, and self-contained and yet still have substantial political effects. As Politics of Tranquility shows, the nuns in Yachen Gar have called forth an alternative way of living and expressing themselves as Tibetans and as female monastics despite a repressive context. ------------------ Jing Li teaches Chinese language, literature, and cinema. Her research focuses on rural China, independent filmmaking, and digital media cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day
We spend about a third of our lives sleeping and yet the question of why we sleep and dream has remained a mystery for much of human existence. But recently scientists have developed the tools to begin to reveal some astonishing insights into lucid dreaming and its uses. In this episode, we'll talk to neuroscientist Ken Paller about the science of Lucid dreaming. Whether it's something any of us can learn to do and what benefits it might offer. And while the science of lucid dreaming and its possible uses is still in its infancy, Tibetan Buddhists found ways to master it centuries ago using a practice they call Dream Yoga. We'll talk with Geshe Thabkhe, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, about how members of his tradition have long been using this technique to enhance their spiritual lives, and how he and other monks are now working with Western scientists like Ken Paller and neuroscientist Robin Nusslock to research this special type of dream state and whether people in the outside world can influence or even communicate with them while they're dreaming. Robin Nusslock, PhD is a neuroscientist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University. Ken Paller is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience program at Northwestern University. You can find out more about his work on his website.
In this episode of The Wisdom Podcast, host Daniel Aitken is joined by David M. DiValerio. Join David and Daniel as they discuss David's newest book, Mountain Dharma: Meditative Retreat and the Tibetan Ascetic Self. David shares his journey into Tibetan Buddhist studies, as well as his experiences and research on Tibetan retreats over the […] The post David M. DiValerio: Mountain Dharma (#221) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.
Lama Yeshe guides a meditation that invokes creative imagination to cultivate familiarity with our innate quality of being love within a space of active repose.FULL MOON SIT is an ongoing series offering Tibetan Buddhist meditation instruction and practice Make a dana offeringPRAJNA FIRE is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.Learn more about meditative inquiry and the integrative dharma practice of listening, contemplating, and meditating from Prajna Rising, our online journal.PUBLISHED ARTICLEShttps://www.prajnafire.com/mediaSubscribe to Prajna Fire's newsletter on Substackhttps://prajnafire.substack.comFOLLOW USJoin the Prajna Fire Global Community Private Teaching Sessions Book Online at Prajna Fire with immediate confirmation (https://www.prajnafire.com/book-online)EMAIL US sparks@prajnafire.comFIND US on the Prajna Fire website (https://www.prajnafire.com/sparks)@prajnasparks on Facebook, Instagram, and TwitterYouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRUzGmU7c4_TJdLhG9R8IDA/videos)
Combining modern science and ancient Buddhism to treat anxiety, anger, and impatience. John Makransky is a professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, AND ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist lama. Paul Condon is an associate professor of psychology at Southern Oregon University and a research fellow at the Mind & Life Institute. Both are the authors of How Compassion Works: A Step-by-Step Guide to Cultivating Well-Being, Love, and Wisdom. In this episode we talk about: The sales pitch for compassion—even at a time when what most of us really want is for other people to be nicer The connection between attachment theory and compassion Why compassion is our natural state How Sustainable Compassion Training helps you access warmth without forcing it How to apply compassion practice to burnout, conflict, and difficult emotions Join Dan's online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
Sometimes the thing you're *naturally best at* is the thing you've spent years avoiding.
In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” He discusses how renunciation is a gateway to great compassion, also known as "bodhicitta" in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This episode was recorded on September 24th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve. As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org. May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.
Step into a powerful, wide ranging conversation with actress and artist Jessica Pimentel, the Brooklyn born Dominicana whose talent and spirit stretch across continents and creative worlds. Known globally for her seven season role as Maria Ruiz on Orange Is the New Black, Jessica is a three time SAG Award winner, a classically trained musician, and the fierce female vocalist of the heavy metal band Brujeria. A graduate of NYC’s iconic High School of Performing Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Jessica’s artistry runs deep. She sings, plays violin, guitar, and bass, and brings a level of discipline and soul shaped by her journey as a Tibetan Buddhist, a practice she embraced back in the 90s. In our interview, she opens up about growing up Dominican in Brooklyn, the path that led her from city blocks to global stages, and why Sweden stole her heart as she now splits her life between Switzerland and New York. We get into everything, from her family’s stories and political views to the healing work behind the scenes and why we really shouldn’t eat the mangoes. It’s culture, creativity, spirituality, music, and truth told with cariño. A conversation about identity, legacy, and life en español, straight from a woman who has lived many lives and carries them all with power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, spiritual director John Bruna continues to give his commentary on the text “How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path.” John discusses the subject of Bodhicitta, also known as Great Compassion in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He takes us step by step along the journey of generating an aspiration for Bodhicitta, which is the underlying motivation for enlightenment. This episode was recorded on September 17th, 2025.Welcome to the Way of Compassion Dharma Center Podcast. Located in Carbondale, Colorado, the Way of Compassion Dharma center's primary objective is to provide programs of Buddhist studies and practices that are practical, accessible, and meet the needs of the communities we serve. As a traditional Buddhist center, all of our teachings are offered freely. If you would like to make a donation to support the center, please visit www.wocdc.org. May you flourish in your practice and may all beings swiftly be free of suffering.
In this episode of The Mentor Sessions, I share something a little different: a Dharma talk I recently offered in my monthly class for yoga teachers. These monthly gatherings are one of my favorite places to teach—intimate, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in practice—and this particular talk felt important to bring to the podcast. Over the last several months, as the political situation in the United States has become more extreme and more frightening, I've been turning again and again to a Buddhist teaching known as The Four Reminders. These contemplations come from the Tibetan Buddhist lineage, and while they are simple, they cut right to the heart of what matters most. They have become the anchor of my own personal practice during this time of rising fascism, fear, and widespread suffering. In this episode, I share how I came back to these teachings—interestingly, prompted not by the worst harm being done in this country, but by the moment Jimmy Fallon was taken off the air for criticizing the administration. Watching someone with so much privilege get silenced instantly made me realize that we weren't sliding toward fascism. We were already living inside it. And from that moment, I knew I didn't want to get stuck in despair. I wanted to stay awake, engaged, loving, and grounded. The Four Reminders helped me do that. In this episode, you'll hear: Why these four contemplations feel so powerful and clarifying How reflecting on the preciousness of human life expands our compassion for ourselves, each other, and the planet The truth of impermanence — and how it can become a liberatory force rather than a source of fear The reality of karma and interdependence, and why even the smallest actions matter The universality of suffering, and why it is not inevitable How these teachings help me hold a vision of a world where every being is safe, free, and fed Why joy is not a luxury but an essential part of practice—especially in oppressive times The role of protest, collective action, and tiny daily choices in shaping the world we believe is possible After the Dharma talk, I share some of the reflections and questions that came up in conversation with the teachers in class. One theme that surfaced again and again was how grounding it feels to hold a positive vision—not in a naïve or spiritually bypassing way, but as a guiding truth that helps us stay resourced, energized, and committed. I talk about the small actions I take to stay connected to this vision, like calling my representatives or supporting my local food bank, and why these seemingly insignificant acts matter. We may not see the fruits of our labor in our lifetime, but as the Gita reminds us, that doesn't mean the work isn't ours to do. If you're feeling overwhelmed right now… I hope this episode reminds you that your life is precious, your presence matters, and your choices—however small—ripple outward. I hope it gives you permission to feel your grief and to feel joy. And I hope it encourages you to stay rooted in your own vision of what is possible for humanity. Thank you for being on this path with me. OfferingTree is a proud sponsor of this episode and I am honored to be an affiliate. Visit OfferingTree at www.offeringtree.com/mentor and you'll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan). OfferingTree supports me with each sign-up and I'm proud to be supported by a public benefit company whose mission is to further wellness access and education for everyone.
Five years ago, we created A Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment (now called How to Train a Happy Mind) to share the rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhist analytical meditation. We take a secular approach to meditation that requires no belief beyond our current understanding of science and psychology. It's based on powerful Buddhist mind training techniques that use imagination, intelligence, and emotions to probe our inner and outer realities, and expand our compassion.Episode 1: What Is A Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment?Support the show
Tulku Orgyen P'huntsok Rinpoche is a Vajrayana Buddhist teacher at the Odiyana Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, and one of Jaymee's root guru's in Tibetan Buddhism. At 18 months of age he was recognized as the reincarnation of an important teacher by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, and was raised since childhood to fulfill his incarnation. He is a beautifully tender and peaceful man, who speaks with simplicity, humor, and the lightest touch imaginable. On this, his fourth and most profound conversation with Jaymee on the podcast, teacher and student discuss Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, the true nature of mind, the mechanisms of karma and the exponential heart of devotion.www.loveistheauthor.comLITA PODCAST: hosted, produced, edited and music by Jaymee Carpenter. ODIYANA CHARITABLE SOCIETY: www.odiyanacs.orgInterested in Trauma Counseling/Mentorship with Jaymee?email: lacee@loveistheauthor.com to set up a free consultation,or visit: www.loveistheauthor.com/mentorship SPONSORS: YERBA MADRE www.yerbamadre.comBOSSANOVA SOAP & CANDLES www.bossanovasoap.comTOTALLY BLOWN www.totallyblown.usRAUM GOODS www.raumgoods.comINDIAN LODGE ROAD www.indianlodgeroad.comTHiS SHOW is a LABOR of LOVE. PLEASE SUPPORT IT: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastFAN CONTACT: lacee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM: @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardenerTHiS SHOW is a LABOR of LOVE. PLEASE SUPPORT IT: www.patreon.com/loveistheauthorpodcastFAN CONTACT: lacee@loveistheauthor.comON INSTAGRAM: @loveistheauthor / @unconventionalgardener
erasureemulating sand mandalas(note: you can read the original posting here)It's November 1st, 2025 and as you can hear, I'm not at home. We've been traveling for the last couple of weeks in Ecuador. We're now in the Amazon near Tena in the territory of the Kichwa people (Anaconda Lodge).I'm reading you this a calm presence posting called erasure. What I've just done, or I will do soon, is erase all 81 postings that I have made in French and in English, on this Substack.I'm starting from scratch, and it feels good.Let me explain…When I first launched a calm presence in February of 2024, my intentions were to share my learnings ‘for those in need of a calm presence'. That's a term that I borrowed from Dharma teacher Catherine Ingram.And it was successful. People would respond and I would essentially think out loud.But I've come to realize that these essays and opinion pieces - heartfelt as they might be - are snapshots in time that quickly become outdated. They weren't meant to be kept, really, but I kept them anyway, because that's the way we do things.We don't throw things out, partially because of vanity, but also to have a trail of one's work or thinking. A few days ago we were hiking in the Andes and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of sand mandalas came to mind, so I went to Wikipedia. Sand mandalas are defined as :the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. Once complete, the sand mandala's ritualistic dismantling is accompanied by ceremonies and viewings to symbolize Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. The transitory nature of material life, which is more or less what a calm presence is about. This got me thinking : what if, with all due respect to Tibetan culture and any cultural borrowings, I emulated the creation and the destructive process of sand mandalas with the content and form of a calm presence. If not emulate, then at least be inspired by this way of creating, knowing that it will be returned to the Earth, so to speak.And since this is a digital art or digital project, I started thinking about what it meant for all those digits that retain the knowledge somehow, or at least carry it, what happens when they get dispersed? And so it opened up a whole new world, new way of thinking about writing and dissemination and memory and related issues. I was inspired by the sand mandala tradition. I'll read you a quote of how it's described : into flowing water to symbolize the cycle of life and the dissolution of the physical world.So when the sand is returned, it is through water and then dispersed back into nature. And there's the healing energy side to things that also interests me and that I will explore further. I think the idea is when somebody reads a calm presence posting, it is metabolized. They retain whatever they want to retain. It can be a word or two, a couple of thoughts, and then that's it. There's no need to go back to it. After a few weeks of it being present in our lives, it disappears.And another comes along when it's relevant and so on and so forth. There isn't the accumulation, there's simply an experiencing that goes on as part of day-to-day life. I like that and I'm going to give it a try. And if you so wish, you can continue to follow and hear or read these postings, which won't be much longer than this one today. And before leaving, I want to thank the 290 subscribers to a calm presence. It's been good to have the company and the exchange, but I also want to remind you that you're more than welcome to unsubscribe if you want to take a break. Don't feel obliged, I won't be offended.This is a kind of word-of-mouth activity. The way that I read and share, I think, is the way I like to work. If something inspires you or motivates you or resonates somehow, I just let that be shared in whichever way you want. Sometimes it's a story, sometimes it's an electronic transfer passing on. This is the first of these new postings, the Sand Mandela inspired series which will disappear soon. I wish you all the best.*Cover photo of moss at 4100 meters, Quito, Ecuador by Claude Schryer *END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODESHey conscient listeners, I've been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). It's my way to give back.In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and its francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I I publish a free ‘a calm presence' monthly Substack see https://acalmpresence.substack.com.Your feedback is always welcome at claude@conscient.ca and/or on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Threads, BlueSky, Mastodon, Tik Tok, YouTube and Substack.Share what you like, etcI am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. Claude SchryerLatest update on November 13, 2025
PHOTOGRAPHER MONK. Nicholas Vreeland, also known as Rato Khensur Thubten Lhundup, is a Tibetan Buddhist monk and the former abbot of Rato Dratsang, an important 14th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery reestablished in India. The first and only Westerner the Dalai Lama has appointed Abbot of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, he is a photographer who learned his craft as an assistant to Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. "Once you are a monk, you may receive a teaching from a holy being, a lama or master, on techniques by which you can cultivate concern for others and diminish self-cherishing." "The real person whom I have to remain vigilant over is myself." "The emphasis should be on being a good person."
Lama Yeshe guides a rich and delicate practice of tonglen, or open-handed welcome. Instructions include shamatha or tranquility meditation, meditative inquiry, and an intimate tonglen practice that begins with you, your joys and aspirations, your pains and challenges. We invite you to let this practice connect you with the deepest resources of mind's true nature on a daily basis.FULL MOON SIT is an ongoing series offering Tibetan Buddhist meditation instruction and practice Make a dana offeringPRAJNA FIRE is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by applicable law.Learn more about meditative inquiry and the integrative dharma practice of listening, contemplating, and meditating from Prajna Rising, our online journal.PUBLISHED ARTICLEShttps://www.prajnafire.com/mediaSubscribe to Prajna Fire's newsletter on Substackhttps://prajnafire.substack.comFOLLOW USJoin the Prajna Fire Global Community Private Teaching Sessions Book Online at Prajna Fire with immediate confirmation (https://www.prajnafire.com/book-online)EMAIL US sparks@prajnafire.comFIND US on the Prajna Fire website (https://www.prajnafire.com/sparks)@prajnasparks on Facebook, Instagram, and TwitterYouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRUzGmU7c4_TJdLhG9R8IDA/videos)
What does it mean to truly awaken—and how do we live with full awareness in every moment, even in the face of impermanence? Eugene Cash's warm, playful, and deeply sincere style invites us into a rich exploration of mindfulness, death, and the immediacy of life. Drawing from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Eugene emphasizes the experiential nature of awareness, encouraging us to feel our bodies, notice our breath, and recognize the fleeting nature of each moment. He shares personal stories, including a near-death experience and the dissolution of San Francisco Insight to illustrate how impermanence can be a gateway to freedom.Eugene's teaching is grounded in both classical Buddhist texts and lived experience. He references the Satipatthana Sutta (MN 10), Zen master Dogen, Longchenpa of the Dzogchen tradition, and Shantideva, offering poetic and powerful quotes that illuminate the path to awakening, focusing on:Mindfulness of posture, breath, and bodily elements (earth, air, fire, water)Awareness in all activities—“no one at Safeway has to know you're meditating”The normality of death and the intoxications of youth, health, and lifeAwakening as “springing into being” and “the freshness of reality”The insight that freedom arises when we stop clinging to anythingHe offers us a gentle nudge to wake up to the miracle of being here, now.______________Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of the San Francisco Insight Meditation Community of San Francisco which ended in October 2025 after more than 30 years. He now teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and leads intensive meditation retreats internationally. His teaching is influenced by both Burmese and Thai streams of the Theravada tradition as well as Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practice. He is also a teacher of the Diamond Approach, a school of spiritual investigation and self-realization developed by A. H. Almaas. Learn more at https://www.insightdharmacenter.org/ ______________ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can: Donate Learn how to participate live Find our schedule of upcoming speakers Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy many hundreds of these recorded talks dating back to 1996 CREDITSAudio Engineer: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter
On this episode of the MY FOURTH ACT podcast, I have the distinct thrill of speaking with 5 extraordinary women who jointly wrote a just-released book, “Women Unbound: Navigating Transitions Gracefully,” published by Balboa Press, an imprint of Hay House.It is a tale of how five voices, strangers at first, with decidedly different life journeys and experiences, joined in courage and kindness, and over a period of two years blossomed into a chorus of truth and tenderness.The extraordinary women?Maria Hernandez, a technology and innovation thought leader who served as Chief Innovation Officer for IBM Latin America.Lama Karma Chotso, an ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun for over 35 years, and the former leader of a Dharma center in Florida.Jennifer DiMarco: An executive with 30 years of expertise in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and a special focus on quality and compliance.Sarah Lewis: An architect and urban planner, with 25 years of expertise in both the private sector and as a public sector planner in the Boston area.Catherine Seo, PH.D.: An educator, filmmaker, and passionate advocate for those living with lipedema and related chronic conditions.It was my privilege to serve as a Mastermind host for these spectacular humans and write the Foreword for “Women Unbound.”
Fleet Maull, PhD, is a consultant, motivational speaker, social entrepreneur, and authorized teacher in the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He also founded Prison Mindfulness Institute and National Prison Hospice Association, catalyzing two national movements, while serving a 14-year mandatory-minimum federal drug sentence from 1985 to 1999. He is the author of Radical Responsibility: How to Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose, and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good and Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull. Fleet founded the Heart Mind Institute, offering online summits, courses, and coaching programs integrating western science with ancestral & contemplative wisdom and addressing themes of trauma healing, resilience building, post-traumatic growth, expanded states of consciousness, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, conscious entrepreneurship, and more. Here he and Dawson discuss: Fleet's background The ways each of us has our own hero's journey The truth of "the only way out is through" The pain paradox: that joy lies on the other side of pain Our own inner channel How the suffering of great spiritual masters sensitizes them to the world's suffering A deeply embodied approach to meditation The Task Positive Network Why when plugging into source our nervous system untangles itself Feeling the physicality of the body which will calm your mind Spontaneous experiences of Samadhi or awakened states Why deeper states of awakening require consistent practice When deep states produce the risk of clinging to them Get a free eBook copy of Fleet's Neuro-Somatic Mindfulness: A Direct Path to Awakening at: https://www.heartmind.co/nsm-dawsonchurch Find host Dr. Dawson Church at: http://dawsongift.com/ To purchase Dawson's newest book, Spiritual Intelligence: https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Intelligence-Activating-Circuits-Awakened/dp/160415294X/ #mindtomatter #blissbrain #spiritualintelligence #eft #meditation #highenergyhealth #sq #consciousness #mindfulness #awakening
Today I welcome my dear sister Ju Brunnquell back to This Cosmic Life. We open a living conversation on the language of the Orishas, the art of offerings as mandala, and how mediumship, music, and movement become bridges between worlds. Ju shares her path through Santo Daime to Umbanda, what it meant to be “caught” by mediumship, and how archetypal forces like Eshu and the Boiadeiros teach protection, surrender, and right timing.This is a tender invitation to feel first, understand later, and let devotion become the way we walk, speak, and listen.In This EpisodeWhat the Orishas are as archetypal forces of nature and how they appear across traditionsThe African diaspora in Brazil and the weaving of Umbanda with Spiritism and ChristianityMediumship as a pedagogy of the body — vibration, sensation, vision, and discernmentEshu as opener of the roads and guardian at the crossroadsOfferings as poetry and mandala — moving intention from the mental to the materialThe Boiadeiros (Wranglers) as humble guides of faith, simplicity, and steady actionParallels with Tibetan Buddhist offering practice and daily devotionJu is an ordained Priestess of Sacred Umbanda, initiated by Alexandre Cumino at Colégio Pena Branca in São Paulo. She is also a Fire Alchemist through the same lineage and an Alchemist of Exú, initiated by Fátima Saraceni. Deeply rooted in the mysteries of Exú, Pombagira, and the healing forces of Obaluaê, Ju channels transformative teachings through ritual, voice, and presence.She is the founder of Escola do Pentagrama, a spiritual school dedicated to autonomy, oracular wisdom, and the living language of the Orixás offering e-books, courses, and meditations to seekers and make Afro-Brazilian spirituality accessible across the worlds. → Explore her work or join her next offering at: escoladopentagrama.comTara Samadhi, a sound mystic, astrologer, and devotional guide weaving together True Sidereal wisdom, plant medicine, and the sacred currents of sound. This Cosmic Life is my soul altar — a space for sacred dialogue, mystical study, and remembering ourselves as divine.More at: tarasamadhi.comWays to walk deeper with us:Share this episode with someone who is waking up to their spiritual force.Leave a review to support the temple of voice. Subscribe to This Cosmic Life for more transmissions.
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. 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
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies
Queens without a Kingdom worth Ruling: Buddhist Nuns and the Process of Change in Tibetan Monastic Communities is a fascinating study of nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling in Kathmandu. Written by Dr. Chandra Chiara Ehm, who was a member of this monastic community for nearly a decade, it offers a rare perspective on life in a nunnery. The book explores nuns' lives, their studies, and their and aspirations--we see how young girls and women become nuns, what a day in the life is like, and how their scholastic study is structured, as well as some of the obstacles that the nuns much navigate. It also explores how recent changes in technology, demographics, and secular education are continuing to transform monastic life. This book is a rich and extremely readable blend of ethnographic detail, historical and textual background, and incisive analysis. It would make an excellent contribution to any syllabus on Tibetan Buddhism, women in Buddhism, or Buddhism and modernity. The author, Chandra Chiara Ehm, is a postdoctoral researcher at the the Ecole Francaise d'Èxreme Orient (EFEO) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO). She received her PhD in a double degree program in Buddhist Studies at the LMU in Munich and in anthropology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris . She employs multiple academic methods--notably both philology and qualitative ethnographic work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion
071 As we transition to fall and celebrate thanksgiving (In Canada) it seems like a natural time to focus on the hearth, the place of warmth, family and community. The constellation of people we share our world with, especially our chosen family, are always reflecting something back to us, some important feedback. In this short monologue Silas Rose explores the mirror like quality of our close relationships, known in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as the Mandala Principle. Like a Buddha in the centre of a colourful sacred circle by bringing awareness to every conversation we can transform our habitual patterns and reactivity. When we change, the image in the mirror also changes. In this way our circle of relationships expands and we can experience greater openness and joy. If you have been loving what you are hearing on AIR please rate, review and subscribe to get the latest content fresh to your device. Sign up for our newsletter at awakeinrelationship.com to learn about upcoming programs and events.Do you have suggestions for guests or feedback on the show? Send us an email at awakeinrelationshippodcast@gmail.com
It takes a special talent in our politicians to make Leh's Tibetan Buddhists so belligerent, ThePrint Political Editor DK Singh elaborated in this episode of #PoliticallyCorrect To read the latest column: https://theprint.in/opinion/politically-correct/modi-silent-on-ladakh-manipur/2757998/
In this week's show, Lian is joined by Nicholas Breeze Wood. Nicholas has practiced shamanism for over 40 years, combining it with the 'earthier' end of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as with 'medicine' teachings from Native North American peoples. He has worked with many gifted medicine people and shamans over the years, and is deeply apprenticed to his own spirit helpers, whose teachings never fail to awe and surprise him. Nick's shamanism is a fusion of traditional Himalayan and Mongolian forms, combined with teachings from his own spirits. He works especially deeply with ritual objects - such as bronze shaman's mirrors, phurba daggers and many other Mongolian and Tibetan shamanic and Buddhist ritual objects - for which he holds traditional teachings and, where required, traditional initiations. Despite being a ‘rather uneducated Buddhist,' he is an ordained Tibetan Buddhist lama, a type called a ngakpa, whose role is similar to a shaman's. Ngakpas are non-monastic, non-celebrate lamas who live in the community, specialising in ritual and magic for people within their community. Nick is the editor of Sacred Hoop Magazine - a leading international magazine about shamanism - which has been published since 1993. He is also a musician and artist. He is the author of several books including, 'Walking with the Tiger,' 'Sacred Drums of Siberia,' 'A Little Book of Revealing,' 'Voices From The Earth,' 'The Book of the Shaman,' 'The Shaman Box,' and 'The Resplendent Other'. He runs the large Facebook group 3Worlds Shamanism, has done a podcast called the 3Worlds shamanism podcast on and off since 2006 and also has a somewhat neglected YouTube channel, also called 3Worlds Shamanism. In this conversation, Lian and Nick trace the line between animism and shamanism. They explore how industrial life thinned our old ways, and what simple rites restore a living conversation with the more-than-human world. They look at what actually helps: a small daily offering that slows you down, a tree-side ceremony that teaches you to listen, and the humility of walking behind the sacred rather than in front. Listen if you have felt the pull back to nature and wondered whether it means animist, shamanist, or simply human… answering an innate way of seeing. We'd love to know what YOU think about this week's show. Let's carry on the conversation… please leave a comment wherever you are listening or in any of our other spaces to engage. What you'll learn from this episode: How a living-matter view changes our lives, and why calling it “animism” might clarify the pull you already feel Why simple offerings reshape your pace and attention, and how reciprocity steadies you when life gets noisy What happens when humility leads, and the subtle signs that tell you a deeper calling is knocking Resources and stuff spoken about: Visit Nick's websites: Sacred Hoop Magazine 3Worlds Podcast Buy Nick's books Join Nick on YouTube Join UNIO, the Academy of the Soul. This is for the old souls in this new world… Discover your kin & unite with your soul's calling to truly live your myth. Be Mythical Join our mailing list for soul stirring goodness: https://www.bemythical.com/moonly Discover your kin & unite with your soul's calling to truly live your myth: https://www.bemythical.com/unio Go Deeper: https://www.bemythical.com/godeeper Follow us: Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Thank you for listening! There's a fresh episode released each week here and on most podcast platforms - and video too on YouTube. If you subscribe then you'll get each new episode delivered to your device every week automagically. (that way you'll never miss a show).
Text reading taken from:Treasures from Juniper Ridge (Padmasambhava's Advice #3) by Padmasambhava by Tulku Urgyen, Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator) , Marcia Binder Schmidt (Translator).Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche (Precious Guru), was an Indian Vajrayana Buddhist master from the 8th century who introduced Tantric Buddhism to Tibet. He is considered the founder of the Nyingma school, the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and is revered as the "Second Buddha" by his followers. He is believed to have come to Tibet at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen to help establish the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Samye Monastery.
We've all heard the expression, “Ignorance is bliss,” but what if the truth was just the opposite? Professor Robert Thurman, the preeminent scholar and interpreter of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy for the modern world, believes that “Wisdom is Bliss” and in fact, that's the name of his latest book. Professor Thurman is a very close friend of HH Dalai Lama and today he discusses deep ideas about mindfulness and presence and leads us on a joyful exploration into the nature of reality through Buddha's threefold curriculum of “super-education.” He invites us to shift our attention of suffering to know we are part of the bigger flow of life. He asks us to manage our mind and thoughts through meditation, awareness, and compassion. He believes by cultivating intuition, and coming from a perspective of neutrality, we can all attain a more peaceful state. Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as Co-Founder and President of Tibet House US in service of HH Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet. He is a leading worldwide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, passionate activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, and skilled translator of Buddhist texts. Info: tibethouse.us.
Gavin Kilty has been a full-time translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics since 2001. Before that he lived in Dharamsala, India, for fourteen years, where he spent eight years training in the traditional Geluk monastic curriculum through the medium of class and debate at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. He has also taught Tibetan language courses in India, Nepal, and elsewhere, and is a translation reviewer for the organization 84000, Translating the Words of the Buddha. He received the 2017 Shantarakshita Award from Tsadra Foundation for his translation of A Lamp to Illuminate the Five Stages. Other published translations are The Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Stages of the Path, Volume 1 (2022), The Life of My Teacher (2017), Mirror of Beryl (2010), Ornament of Stainless Light (2004), and The Splendor of an Autumn Moon (2001).Support the Podcast at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/u63954666Support the show
In this episode, I am once again joined by Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including, her most recent, “Clearing the Way to Awakening”. Lopon Yudron Wangmo shares stories of her discipleships under various spiritual gurus such as Lama Tharchin, recalls her memories of the California Vajrayāna scene, and remarks on the qualities she has observed in realised masters. Lopon Yudron Wangmo reflects on her ADHD struggles with concentration in meditation, offers a critique of śamatha practice, and shares her own relationship to the dialectic between effort and rest. Lopon Yudron Wangmo explains how Dzogchen works, shares her experiences in extended solo retreat, and warns about the possibility of psychological regression during Tibetan Buddhist 3-year retreat. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep325-my-spiritual-journey-lopon-yudron-wangmo-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - New audiobook of “Clearing the Way to Awakening” 06:34 - Text and oral cultures in Tibet 09:44 - Ngondro workbook 11:58 - Discipleship under various Tibetan Lamas 15:09 - Attraction to Vajrayāna 15:20 - Memories of Lama Tharchin 22:53 - 3 year retreat 25:28 - Solo retreats 26:09 - Longchen Nyingthig practice 27:00 - Desire for practice and further retreats 29:15 - Evidence of attainment 32:51 - The nature of mind and the 6 bardos 34:29 - Lama Tharchin's spaciousness 36:26 - Dzogchen vs Mindfulness 39:28 - Critique of śamatha meditation 41:43 - Effortful practice vs Dzogchen 45:01 - Rewards of a life of practice 46:18 - Uncontrived resting 48:05 - How Dzogchen works 54:21 - Practicing in old age 56:05 - Production-line teaching style 58:21 - Regression to childlike state in 3 year retreat 59:00 - Peak experiences and being good enough 01:00:22 - The California Vajrayāna scene 01:03:52 - Encouragement to practice Vajrayāna … Previous episode with Lopon Yudron Wangmo: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yudron To find our more about Lopon Yudron Wangmo, visit: - https://www.yudronwangmo.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James
Join Geshe Sherab for a deeply reflective guided meditation on the emptiness of self—one of the core insights of Buddhist wisdom. Gently explore how the sense of “I” arises, appears, and ultimately dissolves under careful examination. This session invites you to rest in the awareness that the self, as it seems, is empty of inherent existence—opening the door to deeper freedom, compassion, and clarity. This guided journey is perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of emptiness.Episode #203: Emptiness of Self Guided Meditation with Geshe SherabFrom August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We'll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and cultivate the deeper causes of a happy mind; connected, loving relationships; and a better world. It all happens in the beautiful redwood forests of California, while enjoying delicious vegetarian meals and meeting thoughtful new friends.SIGN UP NOWSupport the show
In this intimate Q&A session following Day 2 of the Rise Journal Challenge, I share the deeply personal story behind creating the R.I.S.E. journaling practice - from a college heartbreak that left me sleepless for months to discovering the transformative power of putting pen to paper at 3 AM.I dive deep into the philosophy of "still calm knowing," share practical approaches to emotional regulation, and explore how mindfulness can become a natural part of your daily routine. In this conversation, I explore topics ranging from reality construction and victim consciousness to the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Tonglen, all while answering questions from participants about healing, courage, and finding authentic purpose.Whether you're new to journaling or seeking to deepen your self-awareness practice, this episode offers insights into using mindful attention and intention as tools for personal transformation. Join the Rise Journal Challenge Experience the transformative power of guided journaling Sign up here Get Your Rise Journal Available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Beautiful Souls Community Join our mindfulness community for ongoing support and connection Learn more Creative Essence Retreat Join me in Northern California for an immersive experience in nature Reserve your space
Join Tami Simon and Andrew Holecek for the second half of their exploration of reincarnation. Here, they delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on death, rebirth, and the power of "dark retreat" practice, revealing practical guidance for navigating everyday life. What happens after we die? And what do habits have to do with the process? In this episode of Insights at the Edge, host Tami Simon welcomes Andrew Holecek, scholar, author, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual wisdom traditions. Together, they dive into the mysteries of reincarnation and the "gap between lives." Drawing from Tibetan teachings on the bardos, dream yoga, and the art of dying, Andrew shares practical insights on how these ancient teachings are not just about what happens after death, but also about navigating the transitions and challenges we face here and now. Join them to explore: How our beliefs about death deeply inform how we live The nature of awareness and the influence of habits How cultivating lucidity transforms both our dreams and our waking lives, and more Note: These interviews originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.
Join Tami Simon and Andrew Holecek for the second half of their exploration of reincarnation. Here, they delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on death, rebirth, and the power of "dark retreat" practice, revealing practical guidance for navigating everyday life. What happens after we die? And what do habits have to do with the process? In this episode of Insights at the Edge, host Tami Simon welcomes Andrew Holecek, scholar, author, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual wisdom traditions. Together, they dive into the mysteries of reincarnation and the "gap between lives." Drawing from Tibetan teachings on the bardos, dream yoga, and the art of dying, Andrew shares practical insights on how these ancient teachings are not just about what happens after death, but also about navigating the transitions and challenges we face here and now. Join them to explore: How our beliefs about death deeply inform how we live The nature of awareness and the influence of habits How cultivating lucidity transforms both our dreams and our waking lives, and more Note: These interviews originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Join Tami Simon and Andrew Holecek for the second half of their exploration of reincarnation. Here, they delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on death, rebirth, and the power of "dark retreat" practice, revealing practical guidance for navigating everyday life. What happens after we die? And what do habits have to do with the process? In this episode of Insights at the Edge, host Tami Simon welcomes Andrew Holecek, scholar, author, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual wisdom traditions. Together, they dive into the mysteries of reincarnation and the "gap between lives." Drawing from Tibetan teachings on the bardos, dream yoga, and the art of dying, Andrew shares practical insights on how these ancient teachings are not just about what happens after death, but also about navigating the transitions and challenges we face here and now. Join them to explore: How our beliefs about death deeply inform how we live The nature of awareness and the influence of habits How cultivating lucidity transforms both our dreams and our waking lives, and more Note: These interviews originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.
Dr. Rick and Forrest are joined by Mingyur Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher, to explore calming anxiety with awareness, relaxing unhealthy wanting, and finding a deeper sense of our innate goodness. Rinpoche shares how a near-death experience during his four-year “wandering retreat” transformed his relationship to fear and deepened his gratitude for life. They discuss practical ways to see the true nature of the mind, soften the grip of aversion and attachment, reframe fear as care, and embrace impermanence as a path to freedom. Learn more about Rinpoche's live teaching in South Africa and join for free online at https://tergar.org/southafrica. Key Topics: 0:00: Introduction 3:33: How a near-death experience dissolved Rinpoche's fear 7:06: Learning not to fight panic attacks 10:25: Seeing anxiety as clouds in the sky 14:18: Awareness, wisdom, and love as innate qualities 18:39: Recognizing basic goodness even in self-hatred 25:28: Courage to be with doubt and uncertainty 27:51: “Anytime, anywhere” meditation practice 33:57: Awareness and emptiness as inseparable 46:49: Letting old selves die and embracing change 52:41: Recap Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Level up your bedding with Quince. Go to Quince.com/BEINGWELL for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. Join hundreds of thousands of people who are taking charge of their health. Learn more and join Function at functionhealth.com/BEINGWELL. Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from NPR. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What can be illuminated when you explore in the darkness of your subconscious mind, through lucid dreaming or darkness retreats? We get to the heart of mystery in this mind-bending episode with Andrew Holecek, one of the most brilliant and poetic explorers of consciousness I know.We go deep into the transformative crucible of dark retreat—something I experienced firsthand. What happens when you face your own mind in complete darkness? No distractions, nowhere to hide. Magic happens, that's what.Andrew weaves together decades of wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, offers cutting edge dream research on lucid dreaming, and shares his own profound encounters in the dark. The stories he tells will leave you questioning the very fabric of reality.This episode has it all—quantum physics paradoxes, Sufi teaching tales, and practical tools for your own path of discovery. Andrew has a way of making the most esoteric ideas feel like a chat with a wise friend. That's a rare gift.Andrew is also the host of the "Edge of Mind" podcast, where he interviews luminaries in science, philosophy, spirituality, and psychology. His work has been featured in major outlets, including Wired magazine, and he is recognized for his innovative approach to integrating Eastern and Western perspectives on consciousness and transformation.Edge of Mind podcast | https://edgeofmindpodcast.com/Find out more about Andrews teachings books and events: https://www.andrewholecek.com/This episode is sponsored by►Metal Mark Golden Collectable Art | https://mtlmrk.com/►Korrect Energy | https://korrectlife.com/►Hone Health | https://shorturl.at/JvhAJ| Aubrey Marcus |Website | http://bit.ly/2GesYqi Instagram | http://bit.ly/2BlfCEO Facebook | http://bit.ly/2F4nBZk X | http://bit.ly/2BlGBAdAdSubscribe to the Aubrey Marcus newsletter:https://www.aubreymarcus.com/pages/emailTo partner with the Aubrey Marcus PodcastSubscribe to the Aubrey Marcus podcast:iTunes | https://apple.co/2lMZRCn Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2EaELZO Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2G8ccJt IHeartRadio | https://ihr.fm/3CiV4x3