エピソード

  • Ep. 607 – Karma & Kismet with Dr. Michael Shandler
    2025/08/15

    Discussing the spiritual experiences that shaped his life, Dr. Michael Shandler describes the lessons he learned from taking psychedelics, meeting Baba Hari Dass, and more.

    Grab your copy of Dr. Michael’s award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, HERE.

    In this episode, Raghu and Michael have an elaborate discussion on:

    • Dr. Michael’s early encounters with antisemitism and racism in boarding school and the South African military
    • The impact of Zionist upbringing on Dr. Michael’s worldview and his transformative time living in an Israeli kibbutz
    • Healing strained parental relationships: how Dr. Michael overcame challenges with his father
    • Dr. Michael's time with Baba Hari Dass, Ram Dass’s teacher
    • Why chasing multiple psychedelic trips may be less valuable than simply integrating lessons from the first
    • Restoring balance to the nervous system with yogic practices and Ayurveda
    • A heart-centered teaching from Neem Karoli Baba: Poori and Potatoes

    Check out Ram Dass’s Here We All Are lecture, mentioned in this episode.

    About Dr. Michael Shandler:

    Dr. Michael Shandler is an award-winning author, speaker, and life coach with over forty years of experience guiding individuals and teams on their journeys toward psycho-spiritual well-being. and optimal performance As the founder of Vision Action Associates and former director of leadership and organization development at Arthur D. Little in London, U.K., Shandler has spent decades helping leaders, teams, and individuals tap into their potential, combining psychological insight with cutting edge collaborative techniques and the perennial wisdom of the ages.

    In 2024, Shandler’s multiple award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures, and Consciousness, was published by Koehler Books. This award-winning narrative chronicles his personal journey through adversity and triumph, exploring the powerful forces of fate and karma that have shaped his life across continents and cultures. His work resonates with anyone seeking transformation, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of life’s interconnectedness.

    “During the meeting, he said to me, ‘How many times have you taken LSD?’ Who knew? I didn’t really remember. I said, ‘I can’t really remember Baba Ji.’ He said, ‘The first trip you took was the important one, everything else was a waste of time after that.’”– Dr. Michael Shandler

    This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon.

    Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher.

    Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • Ep. 606 – Fuel for Change: Exploring the Gift of Anger with Reggie Hubbard
    2025/08/08

    Explaining all that anger can reveal, activist and yoga instructor Reggie Hubbard encourages listeners to use their anger for positive change.

    In this week’s episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Reggie reflect upon:

    • Reggie's powerful upbringing as a person of color, shaped by family stories from the Civil Rights era and beyond
    • How surviving a stroke became a transformative spiritual experience for Reggie
    • Anger as a gift and friend that can show us injustice, unreconciled pain, and more
    • How facing his anger led Reggie to yoga, mindfulness, and spiritual life
    • Maharaj-ji’s wisdom: you can be angry, just don’t throw anyone out of your heart.
    • How poverty is pathologized in American society—and the consequences of blaming the poor.
    • What science reveals about the empathy gap in wealthy individuals and its societal impact
    • Consuming less media, talking less, and praying more
    • Why the act of surrender can be the most powerful and transformative choice
    • Considering where love is in our reality and figuring out who we really are
    • A meditation as Reggie plays gongs and singing bowls for listeners

    Read the full article Raghu excerpts in this episode, “What You’ve Suspected Is True: Billionaires Are Not Like Us,” HERE.

    This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon.

    Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher.

    Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening.

    About Reggie Hubbard:

    Reggie is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace Yoga. He has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, major labor unions, leading progressive organizations, and individuals from all walks of life the simple tools for managing stress and bringing peace to mind, body, and spirit. Reggie’s life work sits at the intersection of bringing more peace and balance to activists; guiding the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens; and enhancing the well-being of all walks of life. Learn more HERE.

    "You should be outraged, these are outrageous times. What will you do with that outrage? How might that outrage fuel the aims that you seek as opposed to fuel your self-destruction or delusion?” – Reggie Hubbard

    Photo via Reggie Hubbard

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間
  • Ep. 605 – Music Makes the Medicine with East Forest (Reupload)
    2025/08/01

    Blending psychedelic wisdom with the sacred power of sound, Raghu Markus and East Forest explore music as a gateway to nonduality, healing, and everyday spirituality.

    Check out Music for Mushrooms, a narrative documentary highlighting the personal journey of East Forest.

    In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and East Forest explore:

    • East Forest’s creative process and setting Ram Dass’ teachings to music
    • Putting trust into the process and the vast audience that East has reached
    • Music as a vehicle for nonduality, emotion, and direct spiritual experience
    • The infinite potential of music—why we’ll never run out of songs
    • Raghu’s substanceless psychedelic experience listening to John Coltrane
    • Accessing altered states and higher consciousness through multiple paths
    • The role of song in indigenous plant medicine and sacred ceremony
    • Bringing spirituality into daily life rather than chasing peak experiences
    • Living fully and embracing even the uncomfortable parts of healing
    • Leaning into suffering with tenderness and recognizing that it can bring us closer to God
    • How psychedelics can help us remember that we are all interconnected
    • The healing power of motherly and divine love—and how it’s always available to us
    • Cosmic peek-a-boo: Remembering that we are loving awareness and not being discouraged when we forget

    From this episode:

    • Grab a copy of the book Walking Each Other Home
    • Learn more about Saint Mira Bai and her devotion to Krishna

    About East Forest:

    East Forest is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, and ceremony guide. Since 2008, East Forest’s “lush” (Rolling Stone) and “blissful” (NPR) music has blended ambient, neoclassical, electronic, and avant-pop to explore sound as a tool for inner journeys and consciousness expansion. Known for being the first musician to collaborate with Ram Dass, his latest endeavor is the feature-length film Music for Mushrooms, a narrative documentary showcasing the transformative power of psychedelics, music, and community.

    “There's something about the combination of how music can unlock–it makes the medicine so smooth and the emotion is so amplified that it’s just right there. It’s a core human experience that they're reflecting back, and it’s for all of us.” – East Forest

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 4 分
  • Ep. 604 – Amplified States of Consciousness with Dr. Bruce Damer
    2025/07/25

    Examining transformative times in human history, Dr. Damer discusses how psychedelics can amplify our consciousness and spark both personal and global change.

    In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Dr. Damer explore:

    • Dr. Damer’s recent work with the resurgence of psychedelics as tools for insight, creativity, and expanded consciousness
    • Altered states of perception and Dr. Damer’s groundbreaking chemical model for the origin of life
    • Ram Dass’ teachings on transcending roles and realizing the illusion of separateness
    • Building supportive, heart-centered sanghas and collective spiritual communities
    • How MDMA fosters deep feelings of compassion, empathy, and human connection
    • Raghu’s mystical experience bathing in the Ganges River
    • Evolutionary patterns in history that reveal how groups overcome stress and awaken
    • The impact of social media on youth mental health and emotional well-being
    • The importance of mindful, compassionate youth mentorship and nurturing the next generation
    • Holding onto optimism for our new digital landscape and the people who are creating it

    Learn more about recent research into psychedelic science in another captivating Mindrolling episode HERE.

    About Dr. Bruce Damer:

    Dr. Bruce Damer is a scientist, psychonaut, and humanitarian. Dr. Damer is Chief Scientist at BIOTA Institute, UC Santa Cruz. He is an astrobiologist working on the science of life’s origins, spacecraft design, psychedelics and genius. Dr. Bruce has spent his life pursuing two great questions: how did life on Earth begin, and how can we give that life (and ourselves) a sustainable pathway into the cosmos? A decade of scientific research with his collaborator Prof. David Deamer at the UC Santa Cruz Department of Biomolecular Engineering resulted in the Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life published in the journal Astrobiology in 2019. Dr. Damer also has a long career working with NASA on mission simulation and design and recently co-developed a spacecraft to utilize resources from asteroids. Advancing research into altered-state innovation, Dr. Damer recently cofounded the Center for MINDS. You can keep up with Dr. Bruce Damer on Twitter.

    “For a geeky scientist like me, it was seeing the origin of life from a different perspective, from the first cell division, which led me to propose the chemical model, which has now gone through the field. That was an insight that was absolutely inaccessible to me without some kind of amplification or exaltation of states of consciousness.” – Dr. Bruce Damer

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    50 分
  • Ep. 603 – Wise Fear and Aging Mindfully with Sharon Salzberg and Noah Markus
    2025/07/18
    Joined by his son, Noah, Raghu invites Sharon Salzberg onto Mindrolling for an expansive conversation on embracing change, understanding the roots of our fear, and aging mindfully. Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgIn this episode, Raghu, Sharon, and Noah explore:The illusion of invulnerability in youth and how our relationship to mortality evolves with ageThe dreamlike and fleeting nature of time and memoryThe societal messages that falsely promise permanence and controlSharon’s concept of ‘misplaced faith’ and the belief that clinging tightly can stop changeOffering compassion to ourselves when we notice resistance to impermanenceKeeping our sense of adventure and curiosity alive, even as it shifts with ageLetting go of rigid expectations and finding new paths to meaning and fulfillmentHolding space for the hard work of aging while recognizing what truly sustains usPost-stroke wisdom from Ram Dass and the important distinction between pain and sufferingGiving yourself a break: the value of not layering blame, shame, or permanence on top of already difficult life experiencesThe three jewels of Buddhism and how practice can help us navigate change and aging Asking ourselves what we can count on and what is still true as we grow older Maintaining the Sangha and social connection as one of our life forcesUnderstanding a bhikkhu, or monk, as someone who "fears wisely" or "sees danger"Being able to look at the roots of our fear Ram Dass’ phrase ‘Walking Each Other Home” and what it means to SharonCheck out the book Still Here by Ram Dass to look deeper into changing, aging, and dyingAbout Sharon Salzberg:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com and check out Insight Meditation Society.Dive into Vipassana practice with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein on Sounds True. ​​“Most of us have a habit of adding on to that original pain. A sense of isolation, a sense of permanence, a sense of the future, a sense of blame. We pile on and consolidate and what was originally a painful experience becomes this mass of condensed suffering and it hurts so much more. That's why the impetus to let go of those add-ons really comes from a sense of compassion for ourselves. Give yourself a break, it already hurts.” – Sharon SalzbergSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    58 分
  • Ep. 602 – The Life and Wisdom of J. Krishnamurti with David Silver
    2025/07/11
    Delving into the profound teachings of J. Krishnamurti, David Silver and Raghu Markus explore timeless questions of existence, social ethics, and the deeper truths that shape our lives.Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgThis time on Mindrolling, Raghu and David have a discussion about:The intellectual essence of Krishnamurti initially alienated David and Raghu, and what drew them back inKrishnamurti’s unique childhood and emergence as a "chosen one" by the Theosophical SocietyThe profound lifelong friendship of Aldous Huxley and Krishnamurti Krishnamurti’s teachings on avoiding spiritual bypassing and false ego-driven enlightenmentThe danger of over-identification with any religion, group, or ideology, and how this creates separationUnderstanding that we all have the ultimate truth within us and are all one with everything Krishnamurti’s message that comparison to others, the past, or ideals is a major root of sufferingKrishnamurti’s critique of “social morality,” which often upholds greed, violence, and systemic divisionSeeing through the division that society has nurtured and amplified over centuries Embracing our personal journeys and seeing this life as one chapter in a larger, sacred storyPracticing mindfulness as a path to seeing the truth and being with all of our experiences fullyDavid recommends reading Joseph Goldstein’s book, Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to AwakeningAbout J. Krishnamurti:For nearly six decades until his passing in 1986 at the age of ninety, Jiddu Krishnamurti traversed the globe, delivering spontaneous and captivating discourses to large audiences. Krishnamurti assumed the role of an investigator rather than an authority figure, encouraging individuals to question assumptions and explore the depths of their consciousness. His extensive body of work, estimated at over 100 million words, spans more than six decades of relentless inquiry and dialogue. His teachings, compiled in numerous books and translated into multiple languages, continue to inspire seekers worldwide, inviting them to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and understanding. J. Krishnamurti’s legacy endures as a guiding light, offering timeless wisdom for those who dare to challenge conventional thinking and explore the complexities of existence.Listen to Krishnamurti’s lectures on the Be Here Now Network’s Freedom From The Known podcast.About David Silver:David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silver’s #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, “The Compleat Beatles” is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about history’s most famous band. The term ‘rockumentary’ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a “masterwork.” Silver’s Warner Brothers’ feature film, “No Nukes” also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries. "He was an advocate, always, of looking at yourself. He felt that the deeper truths about the meaning of living do not come from anyone else, even if the greatest guru is in front of you, it still comes from what you yourself are truly embedded in properly. In other words, that's what you believe when you're alone, silent, not having to impress, not having to compare."– David SilverSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    57 分
  • Ep. 601 – Finding Magic in the Tragic with Psychotherapist and Author John Tsilimparis
    2025/07/04
    Raghu speaks with psychotherapist and author John Tsilimparis about how trauma and adversity can be transformed into personal growth and inner strength.Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgThis week on Mindrolling, John and Raghu chew on these topics:Discovering light through music, creativity, and the healing power of the artsCultivating an aesthetic mindset: finding meaning and beauty in ordinary, everyday experiencesBuilding emotional resilience by alchemizing heartache into thriving, empowered livingThe power of inspiration: immersing yourself in art, philosophy, and wisdom traditions to expand consciousnessTransforming trauma into curiosity and wonder instead of fear and avoidanceHow human connection supports mental wellness—and why music is a powerful universal connectorViktor Frankl and the concept of tragic optimism: keeping faith and purpose alive in the face of sufferingEmbracing discomfort with courage and becoming a peaceful warriorHow spiritual practice strengthens emotional resilience and self-regulationBecoming the observer and author of our thoughts rather than letting them control usMaking an intention for happiness, creativity, and connection instead of waiting for it to come to youUsing nostalgia, imagination, and daydreaming as tools to enrich your present-moment experienceInterested in learning more about how art impacts the mind? Check out The Book, Your Brain on ArtAbout John Tsilimparis:John Tsilimparis, MFT is a psychotherapist, author and teacher. For over thirty years, he has owned a private psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles. His work focuses on grief counseling, depression, addiction and recovery, anxiety disorders, like OCD, PTSD, phobias and panic disorder. John reaped a strong following after being featured on the A&E reality show Obsessed. He was also featured on John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA, Khloe & Lamar, Collection Intervention, and In the Name of Science. In the past twenty years, he has been a go-to media therapist, called on by many news programs to comment on a variety of psychological subjects. For example, he appeared on The View and Larry King Live. (See below for videos) John also hosts a podcast called, MINDFULNESS FOR THE SOUL which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many other podcast platforms. The podcast offers psychological bytes, wellness tips and relaxation techniques to get you through your busy day. To listen to the podcast click here. Keep up with John on Instagram or his website.Grab a copy of John Tsilimparis’ newest book, The Magic in the Tragic, HERE.“In your darkest moments, instead of running from your grief, you immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring realms of art, music, poetry, philosophy, sports, whatever it is that’s your aesthetic. When you do that, you find meaning in this grief. You create this concept of transferring pain into purpose and finding beauty in your suffering.” – John TsilimparisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    58 分
  • Ep. 600 – How Compassion Works with John Makransky and Paul Condon
    2025/06/27
    In a conversation on cultivating compassion, authors and professors John Maransky and Paul Condon explore how to activate our natural capacity to care for all beings.Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgThis time on Mindrolling, John, Paul, and Raghu discuss:Paul and John’s spiritual and personal journeys, and how they came together to write How Compassion WorksSeeing the humanity in all beings and opening our hearts even to our perceived enemiesLooking to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism in order to cultivate compassionDropping into the grounded depth of our awareness so that we can meet that same quality in othersBecoming aware of our reactive minds as the first step on the path of compassionAdding in psychological and scientific perspectives to the practice of compassionOur natural capacity to care and how it takes less effort than hate/conflictEmbodying ideals of kindness and seeing others in a less superficial wayPracticing honest self-reflection to assess and grow our capacity for compassionThe domino effect of love and kindness– how seeing compassion in action inspires othersReunifying with our inner beings and loving nature through mindfulness The symbiotic relationship of love and wisdomRecommendations From This Episode: Learn more about Sustainable Compassion via audio guided meditations, videos, retreats, writings, and more!Order your copy of John and Paul’s newly released book, How Compassion Works, HEREAbout John Makransky, Ph.D.John Makransky, PhD, is Associate Professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, senior advisor for Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Centre of Buddhist Studies in Nepal and developer of the Sustainable Compassion Training model for accessing innate capacities of compassion and awareness. John's academic writings have focused on connections between practices of wisdom, compassion and devotion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, on adapting Buddhist practices for contemporary minds, and on interfaith learning. In 2000, John was ordained as a Lama, a meditation teacher of innate compassion and wisdom, within the Nyingma Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. As a meditation teacher, John is known for guiding participants in their discovery of underlying powers of love and wisdom. Since 2000, John has taught meditations of innate compassion and wisdom, adapted from Tibetan Buddhism, for modern Buddhists, those in other spiritual traditions, and for people in caring roles and professions.“In order to really be the kind of person that can make a beneficial difference in our world, we have to learn how to drop down below the superficial reactive level of consciousness we all tend to live on together into more of the depth of our being, the ground of our experience.” – John MaranskyAbout Paul Condon, Ph.D.Paul Condon is an associate professor of psychology at Southern Oregon University, a visiting lecturer for the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, and a fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. His research examines the ways that psychological science can inform the adaptation of meditation practices in dialogue with contemplative traditions, with an emphasis on compassion training. His research and writing also examine the constructed nature of emotion and concepts, attachment theory, and the impact of meditation on compassion and prosocial behavior. Paul also teaches meditation practices adapted from the Tibetan Nyingma tradition. He has studied and collaborated with John Makransky to develop and teach Sustainable Compassion Training. His practice and teaching have also been informed by study with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Lama Willa Baker, and the Courage of Care Coalition."Care is a natural capacity and being in a caring relationship with another being is more natural and less effortful than being in an antagonist or conflict-based connection.” – Paul CondonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分