Mindrolling With Raghu Markus

Raghu interviews Leonard Pickard about his early involvement in psychedelics, zen practice, his 20-year incarceration, and building resilience via mindfulness.Leonard will be joining Raghu, Zach Leary, Trevor Hall and others at a Ram Dass Legacy Event in Denver on December 12th, 2024. For more info, click HERE.This week on Mindrolling, Leonard and Raghu chat about: Transformative experiences as not dependent on substancesDelving into the great leaders of the sixties and honoring Ram DassThe psychedelic revolution that is currently taking placeOur total dependence on one anotherThe way that music transformed throughout the 1960’sLeonard’s time at the San Francisco Zen Center studying Buddhism, meditation, and yogaCarrying our practice out into the worldHow Buddhism prepared Leonard for years of incarcerationThe beauty of spiritual practice and growing ones heartCheck out Leonard’s book, The Rose of Paracelsus, which he wrote while incarcerated, to explore more about psychedelics, spiri

Amidst election results, environmental crises and more, Raghu and James Baraz consider how to awaken joy in times of disillusion.To learn more about James’ work with the environment and to see how you can help, check out One EarthThis time on Mindrolling, James and Raghu have a talk on: Vulnerability and unconditional loveAwakening Joy in times of disillusionJames’ definition of Joy as the sense of well-beingMaking space for all the feelings we feelTraining ourselves to look for the goodHow we have lost our connection to the landBeing courageous and coming from loveIndigenous and Buddhist teachings that point us to our place in the worldUnderstanding the consequences of our actionsSila and acting with integrity as a path to inner peaceWhy meditation is so essentialThe joy of connection and a closing gratitude practice About James BarazJames Baraz has taught mindfulness meditation since 1978 and is co-founder of the world-renowned Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. He is

Dr. Dan Engle joins Raghu to discuss how to integrate the ineffable into our daily lives after profound psychedelic experiences.In this episode, Dr. Engle and Raghu have a conversation about: How Dr. Dan’s life was profoundly changed after a serious accidentIntegrating psychiatry and neurology togetherDr. Dan’s introduction to psychedelics in the jungleHow the psychedelic experience opens us up but can’t be sustainedIntegration of the ineffable into our daily livesLooking at science and spirituality in a productive wayThe fundamental questions that arise out of the psychedelic experiencePsychedelics as a catalyst for personal change and authentic self-discoveryThe soul as a drop in the ocean of spiritRegressive hypnotherapy and unwinding past life eventsContinuing to evolve toward greater understandingPsychiatry’s place in spiritual endeavorsLiving into the movie of we and building upon pillars of wisdomAbout Dr. Dan Engle:Dan Engle, MD, is a psychiatrist with a clinical practice that combines aspects of

Offering a beautiful ode to India, Raghu and Andrew Harvey discuss divine truths and the oxymoron of beauty and pain.This time on Mindrolling, Andrew and Raghu go over: Andrew’s experience being born and growing up in IndiaIndia as a sacred world filled with divine beauty and painThe divine feminine and masculineRaghu’s experience bringing his father to IndiaThe gift of Ram Dass and tying Hinduism to modern lifeRevelations of incarnationAndrew Harvey’s return to India and encountering great beingsBeing mindful of our anger and transforming our emotionsAbout Andrew Harvey:Andrew Harvey is a British author, religious scholar and teacher of mystic traditions, known primarily for his popular nonfiction books on spiritual or mystical themes. Andrew Harvey is also the founder and director of The Institute for Sacred Activism, an international organization focused on inviting concerned people to take up the challenge of our contemporary global crises by becoming inspired, effective, and practical

Influencer and cosmetic artist Chrisspy shares how Ram Dass inspired her to change her life after a traumatic accident.In this episode of Mindrolling, Chrisspy and Raghu discuss: - Chrisspy’s near-death experience and how it transformed her life- Discovering Ram Dass, Eastern Philosophy, and connecting to spirituality- Elements of influencer culture that are toxic- Chrisspy’s decision to delete social media for a year and go on a spiritual journey- Not taking ourselves so seriously or castigating ourselves- The pressure to share every part of ourselves online- Connecting through storytelling- Gratitude practice and paying attention to what we take for granted- Making a positive impact by showing up for others- The ways that we view love versus real loveAbout Chrisspy:Christina, aka Chrisspy, is the second-youngest of four children, raised on non-sugar cereals and 2% milk, in a home chock full of bluster and strong opinion. Displaying a penchant for the artistic from an early age, in order to make her voice h

Anita Sanchez and Raghu Markus confront the impacts of global warming, celebrate indigenous traditions, and explore the deep connection of nature and humanity.This week, Raghu and Anita Sanchez have a compelling conversation on:Anita's recent journey into the Amazon RainforestThe intense impact of global warming on Amazonian landscapesThe strength and leadership of indigenous amazonian womenClimate change as the biggest threat to national securityViewing plants and nature as our relativesAsking our ancestors for answers in our dreamsThe way that mother earth cares for usGetting rid of the illusion of separatenessAnita's epiphany at a Sundance ceremonyGetting involved with protecting our planetReconnecting to sacred, ritualistic ways of beingIndigenous plant medicine and the potency of AyahuascaAppropriation of indigenous practicesWhat the four sacred gifts areAbout Anita Sanchez, Ph.D:Anita was born into a Midwest family that was economically poor, yet rich in Mexican-American and Nahua (also known as Aztec)

Bridging science and spirit, Stephanie Karzon Abrams chats with Raghu about integrating psychedelics and soul into the medical community.This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Stephanie delve into: Out-of-body experiences through musicAddressing identity changes after Traumatic Brain InjuriesUtilizing plants to promote better healthReconnecting to ourselves through psychedelic therapiesTrauma from displacement and immigrationBridging science and spirit by integrating holistic views into medicineThe mental health impact of physical health issuesGetting the medical world to want to heal the mind and soul as well as the physicalThe ways that psychedelic experiences can change usThe importance of having a guide through psychedelic experiencesSitting with discomfort and being open to the lessonsHow music expands our minds and creates a space for connectionAbout Stephanie Karzon Abrams:Stephanie Karzon Abrams, a neuropharmacologist with a Masters of Science in Clinical Pharmacology, is the founding advisor of&nbs

Written in the key of grief and the melody of praise, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer sits down with Raghu to discuss her newest poetry book, The Unfolding.Enjoy your own copy of The Unfolding to read Rosemerry’s heart-opening poems! Purchase the book HEREThis week, tune into Rosemerry and Raghu’s conversation on: The loss of Rosemerry’s son and fatherLiving through seasons of extreme griefUnderstanding the gift of a poemOppositional feelings experienced at the same time (pain + joy, etc.)Recognizing how desperately we need eachotherThe Grand Quilt, The Medicine of Surrender, and more poems written and read by RosemerryBrave prayers and the things that open us / help us growInspiration from Gregory Orr and Leonard CohenHow grief strips us naked and makes us vulnerableRaghu sends us off with a beautiful Kabir poem from the book Painting from the Palette of LoveAbout Rossemerry Trommer:Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Mi

Daniele Bolelli contrasts the beauty of community and selfless leadership in Native culture with the epidemic of loneliness in America.In this episode, Daniele and Raghu roll through: Native American history and lessonsDaniele’s first exposure to Native culture through his journalist motherHow the Sundance ceremony shifted Daniele’s entire worldThe purpose of Sundance ceremony and praying for the welfare of all living beingsThe beauty and power of community we can see in Native American cultureLoneliness in America as an epidemicDiscussing a few of the great Native American chiefs, like Crazy Horse and Sitting BullThinking collectively for the well-being of an entire villageWhy a functioning community or tribe is essential for collective ideologies to workThe Native American myth of the Wendigo as a metaphor for insatiable cravingGrab the book Daniele suggests, Black Elk Speaks, for more Native American wisdom and stories.About Daniele Bolelli:Daniele Bolelli

Sharing inspiration from the monk Thomas Merton, James Finley explains what he has learned about God, healing, and mystical paths.Grab James Finley’s Memoir, The Healing Path, HEREThis week, James and Raghu have a deep conversation about: How James discovered a connection to God through Thomas MertonJames’ time living in the Abbey of Gethsemani immediately after high schoolThe resonance that happens between awakened peopleThe secret, safe place that God can commune with usNever forgetting what we learn from dark timesHaving empathy for others through our own sufferingSeeing children as our mentorsBecoming an act of acceptance for the unexplainable mysteryThe healing stories in the gospelsAbout James Finley:James Finley is an author, clinical psychologist, and spiritual director. He is one of the core faculty members of the Center for Action and Contemplation (with Richard Rohr) and is host of the CAC podcast “Turning to the Mystics.” A former novice under Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Geth

Turning to Celtic wisdom, author and teacher John Philip Newell chats with Raghu about reconnecting to our home, Mother Earth.Pick up your copy of John’s new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home, HERE.This week, John and Raghu get into: John’s upbringing and being drawn to the natural worldThe Celtic lineage and having awareness for the sacredness of natureKnowing that wisdom resides deep within us, not outside of usSeeing the universe as an expression of the divineWhat we can learn from native traditionsA radical new beginning through humility and relation to earth and one anotherAddressing the divine in one another and in every life formBreaking cycles of war and repetitionThe contributions of Carl Jung on the collective and individual unconsciousMerging Eastern and Western traditionsCheck out The Marriage of East and West to learn more about the topics John and Raghu referenceAbout John Philip Newell:John Philip Newell is a Celti

Connecting the inner world and the outer world, physicist Federico Faggin reveals his work studying the physics of spirituality.Follow this link to order your copy of Federico's book: Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers and Human NatureThis episode of Mindrolling with Federico and Raghu includes these topics: Federico's life growing up in ItalyNeuroscience and studying consciousnessHow physical feelings come from electrical processes in the brainConnecting spirituality and physicsConsidering if a computer could be programmed for consciousnessFaggin's experience recognizing the inner love that comes out of usHow quantum physics proves the interconnection within the universeFederico's perspective on freewill and determinism in our livesGoing beyond what science has doneThe limited freedom we have while incarnatedPredicting our behavior and how our consciousness is watching allGrace and the unpredictability of free willThe divine mystery and why it will never be resolvedAbout Federico Faggin:Federic

Focusing on curiosity, patience, and self-compassion, Cortland Dahl joins Raghu to go over his new book, A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism.This week, Cortland and Raghu discuss: The mystical practice of making aspirationsTuning into ourselves and trusting ourselvesLearning through our relationshipsRecognizing that the next Buddha is the sanghaNurturing sparks of inspiration through practiceHow meeting teachers helps us realize our own inner depthWhy curiosity can move us along the spiritual pathPatience, creating space, and being vs. doingSelf-compassion in a world of chaos and uncertaintyDiscomfort as a zone of growthExpanding our motivations for doing our practiceSeeing the awakened nature in everyone and everythingPick up a copy of A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism HEREAbout Cortland Dahl:Cortland Dahl is a Buddhist scholar and translator, author, meditation teacher, and a collaborator on various scientific studies. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies, he lived for eight years in India a

This week's Mindrolling is a collection of some of the best moments from Raghu’s interviews with mindfulness and metta experts Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg.In this special episode:Clip 1 (Ep. 65): Raghu and Joseph explore the foundations of mindfulness, the influence of habits, and how everything hinges on the tip of motivation. Clip 2 (Ep. 44): Raghu and Sharon discuss metta practice and practical ways to connect with others through loving-kindness. Clip 3 (Ep. 224): Raghu and Joseph delve into the realities of mindfulness and how the craving for becoming can hijack our meditation practice. Clip 4 (Ep. 225): Raghu and Sharon touch on the Eightfold Path, the balance of equanimity and effort, and the universal truth of starting over. Clip 5 (Ep. 457): Joseph leads a meditation on awareness, beautifully punctuated with a haiku poem.“And we can suffuse the whole field of mindfulness with the feeling of loving-kindness. Friendliness towards our own experience and well-wishing for all others. May all being

David Silver and Raghu sit down for a conversation about maintaining equanimity in the face of multiple humanitarian and ecological crises around the world.Join comedian Duncan Trussell and Buddhist teacher David Nichtern on September 3rd for a free online talk: Imposter Syndrom & Teaching MeditationThis week, David and Raghu discuss: The divided state of our countryDealing with negative emotions like depression and lonelinessAdjusting our internal behavior in order to help others and ourselvesLooking to spiritual practitioners for answers and guidanceThe current political landscape of our worldThe necessity of having both wisdom and compassionRemaining equanimous in the face of global crisesBeing aware of spiritual materialismWhy a sitting meditation practice is integral for self-understandingOvercoming the afflictions and distortions of the mindSending loving kindness to all corners of our heartsTransforming ourselves to make the world a better placeAbout David Silver:David Silver is the forme

Using modern tools to support inner transformation, ServiceSpace founder Nipun Mehta offers innovative solutions for turning artificial intelligence into collective heart intelligence.Learn more about ServiceSpace’s unique model of organizing small acts of service at servicespace.org.In this episode, Nipun and Raghu chat about: Nipun’s upbringing and finding the infinity behind each momentLiving a life of serviceUsing artificial intelligence for inner transformation and the emergence of compassionFear of AI versus it’s potential positive usesCollective heart Intelligence versus today’s artificial intelligenceTaking care of others as others take care of youNipun and his wife’s pilgrimage through IndiaLooking at what we can do to offer kindness to the worldBeing sustainable through being relatedThe physical and emotional rewards of being generousShifting from transaction into relationshipAbout Nipun Mehta:Nipun Mehta is the founder of ServiceSpace (formerly CharityFocus), an incubator o

Discussing her new book, Ordinary Mysticism, Mirabai Starr breaks free from religious institutions and shares heart-opening mystical wisdom.Mirabai’s upcoming book, Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground, will be released in September 2024. Preorder your copy HERE!This time on Mindrolling, Mirabai and Raghu converse about: How beginner’s mind and humility help us cope with the worldOur capacity to feel the pain of the world as our superpowerThe dark night of the soul and Saint John of the CrossMirabai’s loss of her daughter and the transformational power of sufferingThe broken, open heart and expanding our heart to contain grief and realityBeing with ‘what is’ – as an act of devotion and loveReligious ‘polyamory’ and intimate encounters with numerous spiritual traditionsMirabai’s baptism and dedication to peace in the Middle EastWhy mystical experiences do not need to happen in the container of religionAbout Mirabai Starr:Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fic

Author and artist Scott Snibbe visits Mindrolling to teach listeners how to train the mind for long-lasting happiness.Get your copy of Scott’s book, How to Train a Happy Mind: A Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment, HERE.This week on Mindrolling, Scott and Raghu discuss: How being in tune with reality leads to happinessScott’s childhood and sensing the feeling of infinitySelfishness/self-centeredness as an antagonist to joyHappiness through cherishing othersAnalytical meditation and filling your mindRemembering how precious every day isStabilizing the mind through meditation to be less reactiveConnecting with ourselves first thing in the morningHow cell phones externally define our world and lead to unhappinessLooking at who we are beneath our thoughts, feelings, and personalitySmall shifts in our daily lives such as smilingEmbodying human rights in our thoughts and behaviorAbout Scott Snibbe:Scott Snibbe is an interactive media artist, author, entrepreneur, and meditation instructor who hosts the&n

Jamie Kilstein returns to the Mindrolling Podcast!In this episode, Jamie speaks with Raghu about finding an appreciation for all faiths and shares how exploring different religions led him to Jesus.Jamie and Raghu talk about: Oppression within organized religionJamie’s experience with psychedelics and Ram DassZen as the atheism of religionMaharaj-ji and incorporating multiple religionsHow music connects us to religionBeing led to Jesus ChristThe importance of Sangha and connecting to the communitySeeing the beauty in all faiths rather than being restrictiveHow Jesus set us free for freedomRecommendation from this episode: Jazz Musician Bill EvansAbout Jamie Kilstein:Jamie Alexander Kilstein is an American writer, radio host, and stand-up comic. He hosts the podcast, Trauma Bonding, with his wife Alex. Keep up with Jamie on his Instagram or on his website.“I think you find the right spiritual group or people who can connect with you and can laugh so hard that you can feel God, peo

Author and Medium Paul Selig shares transformational wisdom from divine messengers and chats with Raghu about what our world could be like.Paul’s third book in The Manifestation Trilogy, A World Made New, will be out in September 2024. Preorder HERE!This week on Mindrolling, Paul and Raghu converse about: Paul’s journey of becoming and the split between the perceived self and the real selfWorking with energy and understanding phenomenaDivine guides and how they present to PaulPaul’s connection to Ram Dass and his vision of the Ram Dass house in HawaiiMediumship and sensing Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji in the spirit realmIdentity and the structure of realityKnowing the divine self and aligning with it as a demonstration of our true natureChanneling messages from the divineAbout Paul Selig:Paul Selig is an author and medium who is considered to be one of the foremost spiritual channels working today. In his breakthrough works of channeled literature, Selig has recorded an extraordinary program for personal