Mindrolling With Raghu Markus

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.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 special MAPS feature on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Zach Leary discuss:Ram Dass’ ability to describe the ephemeralThe burgeoning scientific research on psychedelicsThe story of Neem Karoli Baba and LSDFinding a way to extend the psychedelic state into everyday lifeSelfish Altruism and the personal benefit of serviceMethods to experience GodHow we can remember the divinity within all of usHea

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 voiceFinding an alternative outlet for divinityExistential fear and dying wiseMoral and ethical dilemmas within the healthcare systemWhat constitutes care and the many gaps in medical practice wisdomMedical assistance in dying to relieve sufferingWhy limits and endings give life meaningThe wisdom and belonging of sadnessBargaining for more time instead of examining the quality of timeA better way to relate to the transition of life into deathThe idea of being ‘too late’ and the consequences of our perceptionsHope as a mortgage on life and the certainties we falsely rely onDeath as a deity that we should accommodateTwo cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts Organiza

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 CharacterRoshi Joan’s relationship with Ram DassKindness and Love across all spiritual traditionsTransforming from the we to the meHolding a loving space in the face of deathFundamental impermanence as an ultimate truthA.I., predictive responses, and a pseudo-realitySurrender, Joy, and starting practices early in lifeAwareness of one’s motivations and self-interestsRam Dass and opening up the path of loveA Buddhist story on facing the truth of old age, sickness and deathAcknowledging 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 wild

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 SalzbergIn this episode, we hear Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman and Raghu Markus discuss:Memories of Maui and prayers for LahainaLoving our Enemies no matter what they may doSelf-love and the instinct to obliterate the selfRemodeling our concept of love to be more empoweringCreating more harmony in our livesHaving motives to practiceWhy we should relish in the opportunity to be around our enemiesThe antidote to fearGiving in versus not being controlled/obsessed with the actions of othersThe self-destruction of hatred and internalizing our enemiesTough love a

Paul Austin joins Gagan (Jared) Levy and Raghu Markus in a discussion about the origins of psychedelics in Western culture.Together, they delve into the third wave of psychedelics and explore methods to enhance their effects through practices like microdosing and spirituality. In this episode , Paul Austin, Gagan (Jared) Levy, and Raghu explore:Paul Austin’s Calvinistic upbringingCannabis, rebellion, and having awe-inspiring experiences with psychedelicsMoving from atheism to spiritualityPsychedelic literacy and paradigm shiftsHeroic ingestion of hallucinogens versus microdosingHaving the right set and setting when using psychedelicsPropaganda and the western lineage with plant medicineThe Eleusinian MysteriesLSD and the cultural context of the 1960’sThe internet and computers as a result of psychedelicsIndigenous roots and a remembrance of the primal selfTrip-sitting and being a guide through the psychedelic experienceIntention & presence as a critical part of microdosingThe necessary spiritual practices

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, contemplative scientist Cortland Dahl and Raghu Markus discuss the Tibetan Buddhist perspective of a healthy mind and how to transition from rumination to exploration.In this conversation, Cortland Dahl and Raghu chat about:Cortland Dahl’s journey to mindfulness practiceYongey Mingyur Rinpoche and loving the worldBeing Human, meditation, and coping with anxietyEmbracing and Exploring the nature of our mindsLanguage Immersion and translating Tibetan textsThe story of Asanga and the Buddha NatureTransformation through compassionate actionWise-selfishness and looking at our motivationsTurning the narrative mind into a new directionGamma Oscillations and the ‘aha’ momentThe practice of non-referential compassionIntersections between science and mindfulnessLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Raghu and Cortland talk about the book: In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur RinpocheLearn more about Yonge

Raghu shares a conversation with Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN about climate crisis and our interconnection with all things.In this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Susan Bauer-Wu talks about her work as a teacher, clinician, and academic researcher and discusses the public meeting between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg that inspired her new book – A Future We Can Love.In this episode, Susan Bauer-Wu and Raghu speak about:Our interconnection with the natural world and all thingsThe need for humanity to move into better balance with our environmentHis Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public chat about climate crisis with Greta Thunberg – an inspiration for Susan’s new book, A Future We Can LoveRaising awareness about climate change within spiritual and faith-based communitiesLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:His Holiness the Dalai Lama In Conversation with Greta Thunberg and Leading ScientistsMind & Life InstituteThe Loka Initiative | Center for Healthy MindsIt Can’t H

Bestselling author Carol Sanford and Gagan (Jared) Levy sit down with Raghu Markus for an insightful conversation about transforming our cultural perception of death and infusing consciousness into all aspects of life.“What’s really needed right now is a major culture shift around how we look at death and know overall, it’s like we’re afraid to talk about it. It’s the one thing we all share that we’re all marching towards. We’re all walking each other home, yet we don’t talk about it.” – Gagan LevyIn this episode, Raghu and his guests discuss:Opening up our worldview by recognizing the paradigms that are in placeThe concepts of conscious living and conscious dyingTransforming the way we think and talk about the stages of dyingBringing mindfulness into the workplaceLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, translated by Sogyal RinpocheThe Regenerative Business & No More Gold Stars from Carol SanfordAbout Carol Sanford:Carol Sanford is

Author Andy Karr invites us to look into the mirror, speaking with Raghu about why it is so essential for each of us to develop the habits of self-reflection and mindfulness practice.In this week’s episode, Raghu speaks with Andy about:The themes of self-reflection, applied mindfulness and cultivating a personal practice that are explored in Andy’s newest book, Into The MirrorAndy’s connection to Ram Dass, Buddhism and his study under Chögyam Trungpa‘Crazy wisdom’ and the teachings of Chögyam TrungpaThe importance of holding a personal practice of some sort, and what that offers to our lives“There is no substitute, in my mind, for just developing the habit of practicing. I think alongside of that is perspective, because you see yourself and then it goes back to mindfulness. You see your resistance, your fear, your boredom, whatever it might be.” – Andy KarrLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen HerrigelCrazy Wisdom by Chögyam TrungpaWhy We Meditate 

For the 500th episode of the podcast, Mindrolling co-founder David Silver and old friend Danny Goldberg return!In this special episode, the group reflects on the question, “Are we living in the darkest hour of a dark age?” and explores different sources of light that can guide us through the darkness.In this episode, the group talks about:Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s belief that our era of human history is “the darkest hour of the Dark Ages”Looking towards spirituality and religion for the answers to humanity’s biggest problemsRam Dass and Alan Watts – and the theme of interconnectedness found at the heart of their teachingsPolitics, polarization and the manifestations of darkness that each generation must face"I think we have to look towards spirituality and religion for the answers to try to mediate unbridled materialism, which we know is a death trap." - Danny GoldbergLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:“In Search of the Lost Chord: 1967 a

South African Shaman John Lockley returns to the Mindrolling podcast to share his experiences as a Sangoma in the Xhosa tradition and speak with Raghu about bringing indigenous wisdom into the modern world and opening the doors of our perception.In this episode, Raghu speaks with John Lockley about:Different methods for opening the doors of one’s own perceptionHow plant medicine is used in the Xhosa traditionShamanism as a path for exploring the ineffable experiences had through inner work and psychedelicsWorking with dreams and the spirit realm“The next part of the circle is going into the wilderness and seeing what needs to be done to stretch consciousness and help bring more healing. To maintain some mindfulness is extraordinarily important, which includes meditation and walking.” – John LockleyLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Sharon Salzberg’s new book, Real LifeJohn Lockley’s NewsletterShift Network Courses (new course with John Lockley coming soon)See Privacy Policy at https://art

Tim Burkett joins Raghu to chat about his journey and the lessons along the way of writing his book, Enlightenment Is an Accident.Tim joins Raghu to shine light on:Stories of studying zen with Suzuki Roshi The various perceptions of the term, “enlightenment”“Idiot compassion,” spiritual bypassing, and authentic generosity The amygdala’s role in our behavior The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, and manifesting non-dual feelingCheck out Enlightenment Is an Accident hereExplore Suzuki Roshi’s books hereAbout Tim Burkett:Tim Burkett began practicing Zen Buddhism in San Francisco in 1964 with renowned teacher Shunryu Suzuki (author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind). After completing his BA at Stanford University, Tim and his family moved to Minnesota.Tim’s first book, Nothing Holy About It, discusses how Zen’s core teachings unfold within the ordinary comedies and tragedies of everyday life. In his books, as in his life, Tim reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing t

Dr. Sylver Quevedo and Raghu jam on psychedelic preparation and integration, the MAPS MDMA studies, a Ram Dass ketamine story in India, and how 'love, serve, remember' connects to Indigenous wisdom.“One of the cardinal features that's been learned in the second psychedelic renaissance in the clinical trials has been the importance of two things that were not really understood that well in the 1960s—that is, preparation and integration. By contrast, one of the things that really was discovered early on and articulated very well by Ram Dass and Timothy Leary, was the importance of 'set and setting.' That has survived. It was figured out early on, never went away, and has been rediscovered over and over again.” – Dr. Sylver Quevedo Raghu and Sylver dive into:Taos, New Mexico; the Pueblo people; and the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Taos which houses the radiant and emotive Hanuman murti who jumped the ocean from India with Ram Dass and friends back in the day Working with MAPS (The Multidisciplinary Association for

Comedian, Mike Finoia, joins Raghu to share his difficult patch with mental health and the tools that have helped him cultivate inner peace.“I realized that there’s only two ways of operating: It’s either from a place of love or a place of fear. If you're operating from a place of fear, you really can’t be open to the love there is around us. But if you’re operating from a place of love, fear doesn’t stand a chance.” – Mike FinoiaMike and Raghu go deep about:Anxiety and finding the tools that work to manage itBeing vocal about the rough patches on Mike's public platformPractices for changing our internal landscapesBuddhist perspectives on anger, fear, good-enoughness, and emptinessHaving a sense of humor about our “self-cherishing”"Mother recognition," or the essence of motherly compassion“It takes way more courage to break through the constriction that we have in this society. And it takes courage to say, ‘I need some help.’” - Raghu MarkusConnect with Mike on his website or on social media @mikefinoiaLearn

Exploring the wisdom of Selfistry, Sarah Marshank joins to share her spiritual journey through the lens of Ram Dass's teaching of "from role to soul.""There is a place that's always here that's in us and that holds us, that is 'okayness.' It's a relief to finally land there. And from there, to feel happy and sad, and witness the horrors as well as the exquisite beauty of the world, and feel okay with all of it. It's that dance—to know that everything is fundamentally okay and to address all the fucked up things in the world at the same time. Those are not mutually exclusive." – Sarah MarshankIn this episode, Raghu and Sarah mindfully explore:Stories and themes from Sarah's new memoir, Being Selfish: My Journey from Escort to Monk to Grandmother Sarah growing up in the religious container of Judaism, and how meditation helped her come to spirituality Ram Dass's teachings of role to soul, and cultivating the witness How Sarah came up with the term "selfistry" through playing with self and no-self Opening to the

Raghu is joined by singer and songwriter Kesha to talk about living authentically, finding happiness, and bringing spiritual practice into our busy lives.Check out Kesha's new record, Gag Order, featuring a heartful interlude from Ram Dass.Kesha joins Raghu on Mindrolling to chat about:Her experiences with Ram Dass’s teachings and her inspiration to sample him on her track, Ram Dass Interlude from her new album, Gag Order The emptiness Kesha felt from outward seeking, the world of fame, and feeling unaligned with her truth Feeding people to transform from “me land” to “we land” Having the space to work from a state of authenticity Motivations in the record business  The habitual patterns surrounding our spiritual practices Reincarnation and Ram Dass’ manifestations after death The surprising catalyst of Kesha's spiritual awakening Humor as an essential quality of the spiritual path"You’re making enough space to serve yourself to get calm enough to be able to then give to others." - KeshaRaghu's book

"The Hidden Artists podcast is about people who haven't been discovered yet—entrepreneurs, musicians, someone who is creative in what they do. People have all these talents, but they don't all have an opportunity to be known for what they do. I just want to give these people a chance to be able to do what they love for a living." – Natalie DayanIn this episode, Raghu and Natalie dive into:What it's like for Natalie being born Jewish, being raised in India, and now living in Los AngelesExploring the various parts of your identityThe inspiration behind starting her podcast, The Hidden Artists, which helps artists and entrepreneurs get discoveredObtaining her Masters degree in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineWorking with feeling lost in life, and using fear as a way to motivate yourselfThe similarities and crossovers between Hinduism and JudiasmHow we are not our thoughts, we are not our storyRaghu's adventures through India, and learning Sab Ek (All One) wisdom from Maharaj-jiHaving faith that the un

Raghu’s longtime friend, Daniel Goleman, returns to Mindrolling to catch up on his book co-authored with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Why We Meditate.“There’s more than normal consciousness. There are other possibilities that have their own kind of richness. There are paths to those possibilities.” – Daniel GolemanIn this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Daniel chat about:Wild stories at Raghu’s family farm when they returned to the West  How Danny’s wife, Tara Bennet-Gorman’s book, Emotional Alchemy, along with traditional Tibetan practices served as Tsoknyi’s inspiration for addressing the things that get in the way of our lives, particularly as Westerners  Tsoknyi’s various methods for mindfulness: the handshake method, dropping practice, and more How Ram Dass came up with the term, “little shmoos” Cultivating a sense of “okayness” with things as they are The different types of love on the spectrum of “essence love”“These kinds of practices get integrated into your being. They're a resource for that i

Dr. Shamini Jain connects with Raghu Markus to discuss harmonizing our autonomic nervous system via an integration of the mind and body.“What we know now is that our emotions have a deep effect on our physiology; they're very interconnected. We can create health simply with our breathing, with our connection with energy, with our connection with a deeper core of who we are.” – Shamini Jain, Ph.D In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu talks with Dr. Shamini Jain about:The multiple ways to experience God within our consciousnessJainism and the main tenant of non-violenceThe nature of vibration and its relationship to the healing processPsychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and the mind-body connectionHow we can prevent disease by harmonizing our autonomic nervous systemThe subtlety of sound and Dr. Shamini's research on using music to healReiki, Chi Gong, meditation and other traditions of vibrational practices“If you transform polarization inside yourself, you probably transform the development of cells that are in&

On a mission to connect hearts all over the world through Indigenous wisdom, Anita Sanchez illuminates her new book, The Four Sacred Gifts, with Raghu.Sign up for Ram Dass's Yoga of Heartfulness Course, starting May 15th, at RamDass.org/heart“Out of the beingness that is whole, loving, collaborative, and grateful, then we do the doing. Wellbeing inspires well-doing.” – Anita Sanchez, Ph.DThis time on Mindrolling, Raghu talks with Anita Sanchez about:Receiving wisdom, dreams, and prophecies passed down by indigenous eldersThe healing path and how indigenous wisdom paved Anita’s way Creating harmony in the heart, mind, body, and spirit to radiate it to the world‘The Hoop of Life’ as an emblem for unityForgiveness as a pathway to freedom, a pathway to love fully, and the passcode to your own divinityPutting ‘wise hope’ into action“It’s a good day to heal. It's a good day to forgive. It’s a good day to be in unity. It’s a good day to have more dreams and more hope in action.” – Anita Sanchez, Ph.DA