Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 515 – Healing Through Psychedelics and Energy Work with Jeff Walker Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Philanthropist Jeff Walker meets with Raghu Markus to discuss the emerging knowledge of psychedelics and energy work in the healthcare field.

In this episode, Jeff and Raghu traverse these topics:

Jeff’s journey from the financial world into mindfulness practice
Applying mindfulness and spirituality to the business world
The efficacy of meditation as a healing practice
Psychedelic therapies from the 70’s to the modern age
Music and flow states
Community and the ‘we’ instead of the ‘me’
Subtle energy and biofield healing practices
Remote healing and cancer research
Chakras, Ayurveda, Sound healing and energy work
Being addicted to the experience of psychedelics
Developing trust into connectivity and intuition
Finding your Sangha and having trusting relationships
Sharing in happiness and sympathetic joy
Psychedelic Health Equity
Trauma from migration and meeting basic needs
Political concerns, decriminalization, and the need for good therapists

Links & Recommendations from this episode:

Check out The System Catalysts podcast for more from Jeff Walker and other change-makers

BridgeBuilders - the wellbeing/flourishing investment collective. https://www.bbcollaborative.com/

Contemplative Science Center at UVA - https://csc.virginia.edu/

MAPS - bringing MDMA through the FDA. https://maps.org/

PSFC - donor collective supporting psychedelics https://psfc.co/

The Generosity Network book - https://www.amazon.com/Generosity-Network

About Jeff Walker:

Jeff Walker is Chairman of New Profit, a social change investment fund and is Vice Chair in the WHO/CHAP Venture focused on frontline health. He also currently serves on the boards of the African Philanthropy Forum, Just Capital, UVA Center for Contemplative Sciences (where he is chair), Giving Tuesday, the Aspen Management Partnership for Health, and the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where he was president for 10 years. He is a Partner in Bridge Builders investment fund for Mindful Wellness. Walker co-authored the book The Generosity Network, about new approaches to gather resources to address causes each of us are passionate about. He also received the John C. Whitehead Award for Social Enterprise from the Harvard Business School Club of New York City. He is currently teaching, researching, and writing on the issue of systems entrepreneurship and systems change.

“With psychedelics we’ve set up collaboration around psychedelic health equity. We have a number of people in some foundations working on this question: how do we make sure that if the MDMA is authorized by the FDA, which it should be next year, that people who are in the city and people who have high ACEs scores and people who are of color and have no income, will be able to access it?” – Jeff Walker

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With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others.

Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!

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Ep. 514 – The Four Yugas with David Silver Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation on the four Yugas.

This week on Mindrolling, David and Raghu look into:

The four Hindu Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapara, Kali)
How consciousness changes with the Yugas and vice versa
Our current place in the Kali Yuga
The White Buffalo Vision and similarities between religions
The way our actions can manifest in the Yugas
The four worlds spoken of by the Hopi
The world events within this age of darkness
Grief for the Israeli-Hamas conflict
Elon Musk, space travel, and how those with advanced abilities still need spirituality
Stories of Yogananda, KC Tewari, and Neem Karoli Baba
Why exploring the Yugas can expand our consciousness
Coupling reincarnation with the Yugas
Kirtan, Mantra, and navigating Kali Yuga with spiritual practice
How remembering the Yugas can remind us of our connection to a bigger picture

David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation on the four Yugas.

“If you couple the Yugas with the dynamic of reincarnation, you can see redemption for the chains from this incarnation, this sheath, to another one and progress in that way.” – David Silver

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Ep. 513 – Practicing Paramitas with Tenzin Palmo Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Mindfully infused with various Buddhist skills, this episode features a dialogue between Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Raghu Markus on the many opportunities for practice in our daily lives.

This time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Tenzin Palmo explore:

Tenzin Palmo’s earliest experiences of connecting to The Buddha
The imminence of death
Tenzin’s Book, Reflections on a Mountain Lake
What perfection is and how we can realize it
Tenzin’s journey to the guru in India
Women on the path of Buddhism
The process of starting a nunnery
Non-self, the ego, and Becoming nobody
Recommendations from the Buddha
Taming the mind
Starting with ourselves when we cultivate compassion
The six paramitas (perfections) of the Bodhisattva path
Opportunities for practice in our daily lives
Death, letting people go, and expressing love
Spirituality as a path of joy
A brief mindfulness meditation

“During our daily life, we have so much opportunity to practice. To practice being generous, to practice being patient in the face of other people's problems, the opportunity to keep pure ethical conduct and never harm or lie or cause any problems for others. During our day, we have these endless opportunities for practicing these qualities of the heart, so we should be grateful because sitting on a cushion is not an opportunity really to practice being generous, ethical, or patient.” – Tenzin Palmo

About Tenzin Palmo:

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She is best known for having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat.

Links & Recommendations From this Episode:

Pick up your copy of Tenzin Palmo’s Reflections on a Mountain Lake or one of her other works HERE

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Ep. 512 – Appalachian Zen with Steve Kanji Ruhl Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

In an expansive discussion around Steve Kanji Ruhl’s book, Appalachian Zen, Steve and Raghu explore finding equilibrium through zen practice.

“In Buddhism, the true home is that place within each of us, it’s an inner heartland. We can call it original Buddha Nature; it is accessible to all of us anytime and any place. It’s really a matter of finding this inner equilibrium and being in this moment, in this place, and being fully alive.” – Steve Kanji Ruhl

In this episode, Raghu Markus and Steve Kanji Ruhl discuss:

Cultural Transformation in Appalachia
Steve Kanji’s experience of violence and PTSD
Zen practice and finding our inner equilibrium
Enduring a soul injury and the journey of healing
The teachers that shape us for better or worse
Meeting Ram Dass and receiving sanctuary
The concept of home and the path as the guru
Holding self and other simultaneously
Zazen meditation practice
Living deliberately and obstructions of the will
Balancing intention with surrender
Breaking down the conditioning that prevents us from being clear, kind, and present
Direct identification and Tantric intimacy
Community as the antidote of dysfunctional solitude

About Steve Kanji Ruhl:

Reverend Steve Kanji Ruhl, M.Div., is an innovative Zen Buddhist minister ordained in the Zen Peacemaker Order by Roshi Bernie Glassman, and is also a lay Zen dharma holder and preceptor authorized by Roshi Eve Myonen Marko. Formerly affiliated with Green River Zen Center in western Massachusetts where he helped to teach and assisted Roshi Eve, he now operates independently, teaching Zen students in person and through his Touch the Earth cyber-sangha to “be clear, be kind, be present” through instruction in koans, ethical precepts, and shikantaza (“just sitting”) meditation. Also a multi-published author, Steve Kanji Ruhl was awarded the Gold Prize for Best Spiritual Memoir in the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards for his book, Appalachian Zen: Journeys in Search of True Home, from the American Heartland to the Buddha Dharma.

Get your copy of Appalachian Zen or one of Steve Kanji Ruhl’s other books HERE

Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern.

Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!

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

Ep. 511 – Returning to Indigenous Wisdom with Daniele Bolelli Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Bringing indigenous wisdom into modernity, Italian writer Danielle Bolelli joins Raghu to talk about quality and restoring balance with the natural world.

“We need that wisdom, indigenous wisdom. We need to bring back something that we have lost from our move into the industrialized last couple of centuries.” – Raghu Markus

This time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Daniele Bolelli converse about:

Wisdom from Native American elders
The balance with nature
Money and power struggles
Capitalism, Marketing, and what makes something successful
The constant urge for more versus usefulness of resources
What gives something quality
The history of Crazy Horse, an extremely spiritual Lakota warrior
Answering to hopelessness
Contentment and small discipline
The promise of potential and handling suffering

Links & Recommendations From this Episode:

Raghu and Danielle discuss quality through the lens of Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Danielle suggests checking out the show Reservation Dogs to get a glimpse of real native life
Check out Danielle’s historical podcast, History on Fire
Raghu Suggests reading Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman

About Danielle Bolelli:

Danielle Bolelli is an Italian writer, philosopher, and professor of comparative religion. Currently living in Los Angeles, Danielle Bolelli is also a martial artist and podcaster. Learn more about Danielle Bolelli and his published works as well as his suggested reading list on Daniellebolelli.com.

“There is something to be said about the ability to just find that spot where external reality doesn’t affect you so bad in any situation.” – Daniele Bolelli

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Ep. 510 - Family and The Guru with Lama Tsultrim Allione & Krishna Das Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Diving into treasured memories, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Krishna Das, and Raghu Markus explore the ways that the guru can move through a family.

Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts Organization invite you to open your mind, open your heart, and tap into the living truth of Alan Watts and Ram Dass. Learn more about this special 4-week Virtual Course:"The Presence of the Way: The Dharma of Alan Watts and Ram Dass"

In this episode from The 2023 Summer Mountain Retreat, Raghu Markus, Krishna Das, and Lama Tsultrim Allione explore:

Being taken care of by the guru
The myth and magic of Maharaj-ji
Healing traumatic relationships
Stories of Raghu & Krishna Das’ parents in India
The transformations that came from meeting Maharaj-ji
How the guru moves through the family
Lama Tsultrim Allione’s story of becoming a monk
How our entire family can be changed by our individual devotion
Tales of Dzogchen Master, Adzom Paylo Rinpoche
The fierce grace of the guru
Breaking the wheel of abuse

“The guru is a physical embodiment of awakeness, of full awakeness.” – Lama Tsultrim Allione

About Lama Tsultrim Allione:

Lama Tsultrim Allione is the bestselling author of Women of Wisdom (1984), Feeding Your Demons (2008), and Wisdom Rising Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine (2018). Lama Tsultrim is the founder of Tara Mandala, a 700-acre retreat center with the three-story temple and library dedicated to the divine feminine in the Buddhist tradition near Pagosa Springs, in southwest Colorado. She leads a vibrant international community with over forty groups around the world.

Learn more about Lama Tsultrim Allione’s work at Tara Mandala

“When we recognize the things we have done to ourselves, what our own karmas have impelled us to do and our own upbringing and we see how helpless we are, then we look at other people, even people who have supposedly hurt us, and we see they are also pushed around by their own karmas. That’s when we get some compassion. ” – Krishna Das

About Krishna Das:

Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji.

Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.

For more on Krishna Das events, music, and other offerings visit: KrishnaDas.com

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Ep. 509 – Ram Dass & The Science of Psychedelics with Zach Leary Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Zach Leary, the host of the MAPS podcast, shares a conversation with Raghu about Ram Dass’ significant impact on the scientific exploration of psychedelics.

This episode was originally recorded on the MAPS podcast.

Two cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.

In this special MAPS feature on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Zach Leary discuss:

Ram Dass’ ability to describe the ephemeral
The burgeoning scientific research on psychedelics
The story of Neem Karoli Baba and LSD
Finding a way to extend the psychedelic state into everyday life
Selfish Altruism and the personal benefit of service
Methods to experience God
How we can remember the divinity within all of us
Heartfulness, Loving Kindness, and Being Here Now
The first steps to starting a mindfulness practice
Upcoming Psychedelic Summits
Nourishing our awe and wonder day-to-day
Neuroscience and changing our habitual patterns

“Psychedelics give you a glimpse. We are connected. We are not separate. There is something; we can’t name it, but I completely experienced it.” – Raghu Markus

Links & Recommendations From this Episode:

Dive into the recently re-released book LSD, written by Richard Alpert and Sidney Cohen, with unique illustrations by Lawrence Schiller

Watch Dying to Know to learn more about Ram Dass and Timothy Leary

About Zach Leary: Zach is a speaker, writer, Dharmic realizer, and psychedelic advocate. He is also a journey facilitator at Evolution Retreats and Heroic Path to Light. Zach hosts the MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) Podcast where he explores an incredible treasure trove of audio archives sourced from the amazing talks, presentations, and panels that have taken place at past Psychedelic Science conferences and other unique events.

Keep up with Zach on Instagram

“Ram Dass didn’t stop doing psychedelics entirely. I think it’s just he found a way to (instead of going up and down) make it a lateral exploration. If you are doing this intense Sadhana and have a deep connection to spirit outside of psychedelics, it makes the use of it much more gentle.” – Zach Leary

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Ep. 508 – Dying Wise with Stephen Jenkinson Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Grief literary advocate Stephen Jenkinson connects with Raghu for a thought-provoking conversation on palliative care and dying wise.

In this episode, Stephen Jenkinson and Raghu Markus peruse:

The importance of storytelling and the human voice
Finding an alternative outlet for divinity
Existential fear and dying wise
Moral and ethical dilemmas within the healthcare system
What constitutes care and the many gaps in medical practice wisdom
Medical assistance in dying to relieve suffering
Why limits and endings give life meaning
The wisdom and belonging of sadness
Bargaining for more time instead of examining the quality of time
A better way to relate to the transition of life into death
The idea of being ‘too late’ and the consequences of our perceptions
Hope as a mortgage on life and the certainties we falsely rely on
Death as a deity that we should accommodate

Two cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.

“I think if we cultivated a capacity to be sad we would make enormous headroads into our propensity for fear. I think sadness is an absolutely compelling and legitimate alternative but it needs at least as much tuition as fear does. You have to learn to be afraid, obviously, and you have to learn sadness as well.” – Stephen Jenkinson

About Stephen Jenkinson:

Stephen Jenkinson is a cultural activist, international teacher, and author. He is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School and has Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work). Apprenticed to a master storyteller when a young man, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families. He is the former program director in a major Canadian hospital and former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school. Stephen is also a sculptor and traditional canoe builder.

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Ep. 507 – A Compassionate Space for Death with Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Facing the truth of death, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus delve into compassion, surrender, and self-less love.

This time on mindrolling, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus ponder:

Soul and the Depth of Character
Roshi Joan’s relationship with Ram Dass
Kindness and Love across all spiritual traditions
Transforming from the we to the me
Holding a loving space in the face of death
Fundamental impermanence as an ultimate truth
A.I., predictive responses, and a pseudo-reality
Surrender, Joy, and starting practices early in life
Awareness of one’s motivations and self-interests
Ram Dass and opening up the path of love
A Buddhist story on facing the truth of old age, sickness and death
Acknowledging the past and honoring our ancestors

“All of us little human beings, we grip onto this small-self identity that gives us a sense of security, but all of that will be let go of as we meet death and certainly if we let go into authentic love.” – Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.

Are you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:

Links & Recommendations From this Episode:

Check out Roshi Joan Halifax’s new contemplative card deck

To further the discussion on death and mindfulness, pick up a copy of Roshi Joan Halifax’s book, Being with Dying

Learn more about joining The Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at the Upaya Zen Center

About Roshi Joan Halifax:

Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.is a Buddhist teacher, Founder and Head Teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a social activist, author, and in her early years was an anthropologist at Columbia University (1964-68) and University of Miami School of Medicine (1970-72). She is a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. She has lectured on the subject of death and dying at many academic institutions and medical centers around the world.

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Ep. 506 – Loving Our Enemies with Sharon Salzberg & Robert Thurman Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Learning how to love our enemies and surpass hatred, Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman, and Raghu Markus talk about doing the work required to transform our lives and bring love into the world.

“It’s out of compassion for ourselves in a way that we think, ‘what would it be not to just have this habitual relationship to anger, like it’s the only source of strength? Can I actually explore the domains of love and compassion as a source of strength?’.” – Sharon Salzberg

In this episode, we hear Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman and Raghu Markus discuss:

Memories of Maui and prayers for Lahaina
Loving our Enemies no matter what they may do
Self-love and the instinct to obliterate the self
Remodeling our concept of love to be more empowering
Creating more harmony in our lives
Having motives to practice
Why we should relish in the opportunity to be around our enemies
The antidote to fear
Giving in versus not being controlled/obsessed with the actions of others
The self-destruction of hatred and internalizing our enemies
Tough love and fierce compassion
Buddha and teachings on love
Insightful Patience and redeeming words
Neem Karoli Baba and the power behind love

Are you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:

Links & Recommendations From this Episode:

Love Your Enemies 10th Anniversary Re-Release from Sharon and Robert

About Robert Thurman:

Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. His new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, is now available.

“Hatred particularly seems to give someone who feels frightened and in a weak position, seems to give them the illusion of being stronger in the position by being enraged…it is actually like an addiction; it pretends to make better, but it actually ruins you.” – Robert Thurman

About 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 forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. 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 pre-order her new book at www.sharonsalzberg.com

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