Mindrolling With Raghu Markus

Writer and meditation teacher, Henry Shukman, joins Raghu to discuss his forthcoming book, Original Love, and how love is the true foundation of our life.In this episode of Mindrolling, Henry and Raghu journey through: Henry’s background, travels, and witnessing joy among those without materialistic richesRecognizing how we are a part of everything in the universeHow meditation helped Henry stop limping through lifeTranscendental meditation and being religious about our practiceAcknowledging our suppressed emotions and working through them with the help of therapyHenry’s time as a trombonist in London calypso bandsTaking on an altruistic perspective to improve your lifeHow meditation does so much more than mitigate stressThe early Buddhist view of mindfulnessInterrupting our constant mental commentary by focusing on bodily sensationsThe experiential reality of unity, emptiness, and boundlessnessBreaking open our hearts through any religion or experienceTapping into unconditional love for ourselves a

Activist and mountaineer, Wasfia Nazreen, has an expansive talk with Raghu about her trek up the K2 peak and finding inner strength.This time on Mindrolling, Wasfia and Raghu explore: Connecting to Mother EarthHow abandonment taught Wasfia that education was her pathway to freedomHow moving to Georgia gave Wasfia a deep connection to the culture of the American SouthThe Tonglen meditation technique and taking away the pain of othersHow Wasfia was magnetized to Tibetan BuddhismWasfia’s journeys as a mountain climber and the healing power of climbingRevering mountains as the home of Gods and GoddessesDead Zones and trekking up dangerous summitsWasfia’s connection to the Dalai Lama and Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheAbout Wasfia Nazreen:Wasfia Nazreen is best known for being the only Bangladeshi and first Bengali in the world to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains of every continent. She is also the only woman to hold the simultaneous titles of National Geographic Explorer & Adventurer. An outspoken

OG Mindroller David Silver reunites with Raghu to discuss the themes of consciousness and spirituality that lie at the heart of Hermann Hesse's literary work.This week on Mindrolling, David Silver connects with Raghu over: Inspiration from Hermann HesseThe book Siddhartha and embarking on a spiritual searchDescents into decadence and an attachment to the material worldEmbracing everything that is in front of usComparing lessons from Ram Dass and Hermann HesseThe inevitability of sufferingHow World War II likely influenced Hesse’s understanding of suffering and isolationLiving on more than one plane of consciousnessThe book Steppenwolf and Carl Jung’s conceptualization of the shadowFear and owning up to ourselvesRaghu’s experience at the Garchen Buddhist InstituteThe problem with media and accessing constant informationAssuming an altruistic perspectiveLearn more about Herman Hesse HERE and check out The Marginalian HEREAbout David Silver:David Silver is the fo

Discussing her memoir, Lotus Girl, Helen Tworkov and Raghu talk about spiritual quests and experiencing a deeper reality.Get your copy of Lotus Girl HEREIn this episode, Helen and Raghu talk about: Growing up with tyrannical parentsHow the iconic photo of Thich Quang Duc changed Helen’s lifeBeing orientated to Asia through Psychedelics, out-of-body meditation experiences, and equanimityRaghu’s altered state through the music of John ColtraneHow trying to understand her family lead Helen on a quest for realityHelen’s friendship with Charles MingusStories of the Dalai LamaHolding suffering without letting it define youOur capacity to feel many emotions at the same timeBeing accepting of whatever is in front of you in the moment“At the time, I had no understanding that that kind of break with reality could be an entry into a deeper reality that was very true.” – Helen TworkovSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do

Reflecting on Gandhi’s principles, Raghu and Perry Garfinkel discuss sainthood, imperfection, and continued service to others.Get your copy of Perry’s book, Becoming Gandhi, HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Perry and Raghu talk about: Bob Dylan, Jazz, and music as a portalPerry’s journey to India looking for Neem Karoli BabaFollowing the footsteps of Mahatma GandhiHow sainthood does not mean you are enlightenedPolarized views of Gandhi and controversy based on gender, race, etc.Acting out empathy in compassionate waysThe six principles of truth, vegetarianism, non-violence, simplicity, faith, and celibacyRe-introducing Gandhi to the next generationSeparating the idea of faith from any rigid religious dogmaTrusting our own unique experiencesAbout Perry Garfinkel:Perry Garfinkel is an author and has been a contributor to the New York Times since 1986, specializing in travel and cultural trends. A veteran journalist who has covered the overlap of East and West for more than thirty years for

Discussing his memoir, Down for the Cause, Bruce “Badri” Margolin talks with Raghu about his work in drug reform and meeting Ram Dass, Tim Leary, and Neem Karoli Baba.Grab your copy of Down for the Cause HEREThis week on Mindrolling, Bruce and Raghu talk about: What propelled Bruce on his journey as a lawyerBruce’s first marijuana defense caseThe Campaign to Abolition Marijuana Prohibition (C.A.M.P.)When Bruce received Be Here Now from his therapistBruce’s travels through Greece, Ethiopia, India and moreHow Bruce met Ram Dass and Neem Karoli Baba in IndiaReadjusting to the western worldBruce’s work in defending Tim Leary’s caseAbout Bruce Margolin:Bruce Margolin is an American criminal defense attorney who specializes in marijuana and drug laws. Bruce defended Timothy Leary and is renowned for his work in Marijuana decriminalization. Since 1973, Bruce has served as the executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana La

Reflecting on spirituality and synchronicity, Dr. Lisa Miller talks with Raghu about the capacity to have an awakened mind and heart.Get your copy of Dr. Miller’s book, The Awakened Brain, HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Dr. Lisa and Raghu talk about: Dr. Miller’s synchronistic connection with Ram DassIdentifying threads of lived, spiritual human life in clinical psychologyBeing born with the capacity to awakenCultivating our relationship to the transcendentThe difference between a spiritual experience and a fully integrated spiritual lifeAn awakened heart and mind as a protective factor against despairThe mental health epidemic in our countryTrust and moments of unconditional loveRadical love on Dr. Lisa’s journey to parenthoodHow suffering brings us closer to GodAbout Dr. Lisa Miller:Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is Professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University, Teachers College, where she founded the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program in spiritu

RamDev, host of Healing at the Edge podcast, joins Raghu for a conversation on compassion and openness of the heart.This week on Mindrolling, RamDev and Raghu discuss:RamDev’s background in mathematics and recognizing patternsHow people in the West are not as embodied as in the EastThe first three chakras of fear, guilt, and shamePsychedelics and other dimensions of realityGoing beyond separatenessCompassion and non-dual practicesTaming the monkey-mindSub ek and quantum entanglementStories about Maharaj-ji’s mystical existenceHope for the future and allowing our hearts to be vulnerableA meditation around inclusivity through compassionAbout RamDev:Dale Borglum is the founder and Executive Director of The Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dyin

Tracy Cochran and Raghu talk about living our way to wisdom and being at home in ourselves through presence.Get your copy of Tracy’s book, Presence: The Art of Being at Home in Yourself, HEREIn this episode, Tracy and Raghu chat about:Living our way to wisdomThe knowledge that the world offers usRam Dass and Fierce GraceTracy’s experience being attackedBeing seen with eyes of love and compassionThe power of forgivenessHeartfulness and living within the truest parts of ourselvesCourage and the willingness to be openAbout Tracy Cochran:Tracy Cochran is a writer and meditation teacher. She is the author of Presence: The Art of Being at Home in Yourself, which is available on the Shambhala Publications website and on Amazon. She is the editorial director of Parabola, an acclaimed quarterly magazine that draws on the world’s cultural and wisdom traditions to explore the questions that all humans share. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Psychology Today, O Magazine,

Psychedelic therapist and author Sean Lawlor chats with Raghu about shifting the paradigm through the healing power of psychedelics.Pre-order your copy of Sean’s book, Psychedelic Revival, HEREIn this trip on Mindrolling, Sean and Raghu take us through:Sean’s awakening through psychedelicsThe inter-connectivity of all thingsPsychedelic assisted therapyIndigenous uses of plant medicine and musicStories of Maria Sabina’s sacred ceremoniesChanging our negative habits and ways of beingTrusting ourselves to follow our inner guideRecreational use versus spiritual useHistorical trauma and polarizationAbout Sean Lawlor:Sean is an author, therapist, and developer of online course content. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from Chatham University and completed a 3-year Master’s program in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. Sean’s new book, Psychedelic Revival: Toward a New Paradigm of Healing, is currently available for preorder in print and digital fo

Alex Tsakiris co-hosts Mindrolling with Raghu for a conversation on consciousness and the ethics of artificial intelligence.In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Alex talk about:A.I. and the potential for sentienceScientific experiments in meditationTranshumanist agendas in societyThe way in which greed, power, and fear is taking over our worldThe purity of motivation and a willingness to transform self-interestA logical perspective on consciousnessHaving faith in the world and taking positive actionTruth as a powerful spiritual weaponNear death experiences and trying to comprehend the beyondMeeting beings who are beyond polarizationCompassion Bot, a compassion based A.I.Wise hope and having positive intention without concern for resultsAbout Alex TsakirisAlex Tsakiris is a successful entrepreneur turned science podcaster. In 2007 he founded Skeptiko, which has become the #1 podcast covering the science of human consciousness. Alex has appeared on syndicated radio talk shows both in the US and the UK

Jaymee Carpenter returns to Mindrolling for an expansive talk with Raghu on addiction, luminous darkness, and loving the mystery in it all.In this episode of Mindrolling, Jaymee Carpenter and Raghu Markus explore:Jaymee’s work with addiction counselingAdding to our own suffering / the second arrow in BuddhismHow Jaymee’s struggles with addiction have become doorways to connect with peopleHanuman, Christ, and love of the divineThe high of being on a retreatFinding light within the darknessSweat lodge ceremonies and being rebornBeing beyond identity when dealing with addictionRaghu’s experience with the charnel ground in IndiaGetting comfortable with the unknownMother energy and unconditional caringAll of the possibilities included in the mysteryRelationships and being secure in loveNavigating through our traumasAbout Jaymee Carpenter:Jaymee Carpenter is a highly revered spiritual teacher and psychospiritual counselor based in Ojai, CA, with a background of 13 years of multi-faceted professional experience in t

Taking us through her 3 near-death experiences, Michelle Clare joins Raghu to talk about the afterlife, mediumship, and finding true purpose.This time on Mindrolling, Michelle and Raghu have a conversation about:Michelle’s experience growing up catholic and praying to saintsMichelle’s first experience connecting to loved ones who have passedNear-death experiences (NDEs) and sensing peace and perfectionHow the religion we believe in will be what we are greeted by in the afterlifeTelepathic communication and the soul’s ability to travelMichelle’s second NDE and meeting Jesus in an operating roomThe parallels between psychedelics and NDEsSoul planning and understanding our dharmaRaghu’s psychic experiences with Neem Karoli BabaOur spirit team and the web of love that supports usIntuition, the gift that each one of us carriesAbout Michelle Clare:Michelle Clare is a certified medium, psychic, energy healer, and life coach. She is guided by spirit and uses her gifts to heal, enlighten, encourage, and inspire others

This week, we take a look back at a conversation that Raghu had with Gabor Maté about trauma, desire, addiction, and getting honest with ourselves.In this remastered episode, Gabor explores these struggles through the lens of the Hungry Ghost Realm of saṃsāra.To learn more about all six realms of saṃsāra and the Wheel of Life in Buddhist tradition, check out this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Buddhist teacher, David Nichtern: Ep. 168 Awakening from the DaydreamGabor Maté is a renowned speaker and bestselling author. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Gabor worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of four books published in over thirty languages, Gabor is sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship between stress and illness. His latest book, released in 2022, is titled the Myth of Normal: Trauma, Ill

Explaining the concept of mirror eye, Loch Kelly chats with Raghu about non-self and effortless mindfulness.Click HERE for some complimentary resources from Loch Kelly to deepen your experiential exploration into Effortless Mindfulness.This week on Mindrolling, Loch and Raghu get into:How mindfulness can be effortlessLoch’s transformative experience in NepalA down-to-earth explanation of no-self or ‘mirror-eye’Sustaining the state of awakeningPsychedelics as treatment for PTSDEgo dissolution and other dimensionsReturning home through mindfulness practiceKarma yoga and realizing our self-interested motivationsA guided meditation from Loch“If you ask someone or take the time to feel the mirror-eye that’s listening to these words, and then feel where is it located in your body. Most people will feel it in the middle of their head behind their eyes. Feel that location and thank it for all its hard work. Appreciate its functionality and ask it for some space and then open to a mindful witness of this mir

Expanding our notions of love to a universal state, ecologist and peace-pilgrim, Satish Kumar, joins Raghu to talk about his new book, Radical Love.Get your copy of Radical Love HEREThis time on Mindrolling, Satish and Raghu journey through these topics:How Gandhi was a great influence on Satish’s lifeLoving people with whom we do not agreeThe ultimate love, knowledge, and heroism we receive from our mothersThe feminine motherly quality we can find in gurusSatish’s experience in the Jain traditionNegative consequences from materialism, consumerism, and the industrial way of lifePollution, global warming, and harm to bio-diversity as our collective karmaWhy everyone should take a Hippocratic oathRemembering we are all human beings and can all practice love as our primary religionScience, gravity, and the capacity to understand the non-physical realityHow love holds together the spiritual worldUnilateral love and not waiting to love another until they love usGandhi’s concept of Sarvodaya, or

Raghu’s original Mindrolling partner, David Silver, returns for a beautiful homage to the genius of Aldous Huxley.Learn more about Aldous Huxley HEREThis week, David and Raghu talk about:How Aldous Huxley showed Ram Dass and Tim Leary the Tibetan Book of the DeadDavid Silver’s initial reading of Brave New World and the prophecy it heldAldous Huxley’s backgroundHuxley’s Doors of Perception and Heaven and HellHuxley’s perspective on non-dualism and childrenRam Dass’ and Aldous Huxley’s friendshipAldous Huxley’s end-of-life experience with entheogensSystematic reasoning versus direct perceptionThe fear that can arise when we have a mystical experienceThe transformational power of psychedelics in the field of mental healthJim Morrison, The Doors, and Ram DassAbout 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

Sarah Anderson joins Raghu to explore her new book, The Lost Art of Silence, and how we can reconnect to the beauty of quiet.Get your copy of Sarah’s book HEREIn this episode, Sarah and Raghu delve into:How crucial and nurturing silence can beSarah’s childhood traumaSilence’s relationship to the inner journeySarah’s investigation into the art of silenceSilence as the link between so many religions and traditionsThe way that being quiet makes us a better listenerRaghu’s story of meeting Ram DassHow nature can teach us about silenceThe fear caused from sensory deprivationsBecoming aware of God through silent meditationConcerns for our youth and the loudness of technologyAbout Sarah Anderson:Sarah Anderson founded the Travel Bookshop in London in 1979, the shop later featured in the film Notting Hill. She studied Chinese at the London University college of SOAS, and at Heythrop, where she earned an MA in the psychology of religion. She has taught travel writing at City University, writes regular t

Philosopher, author, and activist Peter Singer joins Raghu to chat about his new book, The Buddhist and the Ethicist.Pick up your copy of Peter Singer’s book HEREThis week on Mindrolling, Peter and Raghu have a comprehensive conversation on:Singer’s coming of age in the 60’sThe background of Venerable Shih Chao-HweiThe ethical outlook of utilitarianismExamining the consequences of our actionsThe problems that come with not thinking about the futureThe Bodhisattva traditionBhakti Yoga and merging with the supreme beingHaving compassion for those that suffer, human and non-humanLooking at theories of human nature and basic goodnessKarma’s compatibility with utilitarianismThe ways that we leave traces in the worldAbout Peter Singer:Peter Singer is an Australian moral philosopher and Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. He also is also an author, and is best known for his writings about poverty and liberating animals. He wrote the book Animal Liberation, in which he argues for vegetarianism a

Indigenous healer Paul Callaghan teaches us about aboriginal wisdom and being a part of the collective story of humanity.Check out Paul’s book, The Dreaming Path, to learn more about contentment, purpose, healing, and reconnecting with your story—and ultimately the universe.In this episode of Mindrolling, Paul and Raghu get into:Aboriginal Dreamtime storiesThe creation myth of mother earthBeing still in nature to receive insightsHow acute anxiety and a mental health crisis lead Paul to a life changeWhy reconnecting to his aboriginal roots lead to Paul’s healing and self-discoveryDefining the dreaming path and promoting individualityHow does relying on nature and living sustainably allow one to slow down?Finding power in unity and getting resources to all peopleExamining whether we add or take away from the collective story of humanitySelf-care and finding out who we really areGoing with the flow of lifeAbout Paul Callaghan:Paul Callaghan is a First Nations custodian in the land now called Australia