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Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Be Here Now Network

Escapades in Mind-Expansion and Cultural Misadventures. Mindrolling Podcast is about coming unstuck and the recent history of awoken awareness. It’s about the intersection of culture, consciousness and realization with Raghu Markus.

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#665
Friday · 1 hr
Ep. 665 – The Heart of Transformation with Michael Meade
Drawing on mythology and ancient storytelling, author Michael Meade shares how we can renew the earth through personal and cultural transformation. You can now pre-order Michael’s book, The Heart of Transformation! In this thought-provoking episode, Michael and Raghu discuss: Bringing mythology into the modern world Creation and recreation: how the end times lead to the next times Our responsibility to aid in the healing of the world Returning to the etymology of apocalypse: collapse and renewal Transformation on a cultural and collective level Michael’s life-changing experience of solitary confinement in military prison How unity is revealed through unique expressions of the deep self The imagination that exists in the void Recognizing our own genius qualities The relationship between fate and karma About Michael Meade: Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller and author who combines hypnotic storytelling, street-savvy perceptiveness, and spellbinding interpretations of ancient myths. He has a unique ability to tap ancestral sources of wisdom and connect them in illuminating and healing ways to the dilemmas we face and the stories we are living today. Michael is the creator of the Living Myth Podcast, a highly regarded weekly podcast that goes out to a diverse and growing audience spanning over 150 countries. He is the author of a number of timeless and timely books including: Awakening the Soul, The Genius Myth, Fate and Destiny and Why the World Doesn't End. Michael is the founder of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose projects bring the medicine of myth and story to the issues that trouble both culture and nature in ways that inspire creative imagination and genuine hope. Keep up with Michael on Substack, or check out his website for events and more. “In the old imagining of myth, creation is recurring all the time. We are in the end times, but the end times lead to the next times. The word ‘end’ itself actually means loose end or remnant. From the remnants of the previous world, the next world is rewoven.” –Michael Meade See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#664
September 18 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep. 664 – Cynicism, Bewilderment, and Spiritual Materialism with Duncan Trussell
Duncan Trussell and Raghu Markus examine cynicism, bewilderment, and spiritual materialism, considering what can happen if we drop our defenses and experience the present moment fully. Check out Duncan Trussell and Kurt Metzger’s new podcast, The Mystery Boys, where ancient mysteries, modern misinformation, and aggressively positive curiosity collide. In this episode, Duncan and Raghu chat about: Being cynical versus being rational Chogyum Trungpa Rinpoche’s perspective on spiritual materialism Letting go and swimming through the moment Meditation as the remedy for bewilderment Larry David, Ram Dass, and working with cynicism Navigating fear, anxiety, and troublesome global news How religious fundamentalism steers people away from practice Check out Chögyum Trungpa’s books Cynicism and Magic and Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism About Duncan Trussell: Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com. “Just like with Buddhism or any of these things, you can’t just eat the pie plate and expect to feel like you ate pie. You can’t just read the books and not do the practice—you have to go deeper at some point.” –Duncan Trussell See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#663
September 11 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 663 –Cultivating Love and Awareness with David Nichtern & Sharon Salzberg
David, Raghu, and Sharon consider how devotion, meditation, truth, and compassion can tend the love already within us, bringing it into the way we meet ourselves, others, and the world. This episode was recorded live from the 2026 Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat. Watch the full event on the Ram Dass’ Inner Academy, a curated collection of deep wisdom from Ram Dass, practice, and community: Learn More In this episode, David, Raghu, and Sharon discuss: The compassion to let people be as they are (so long as they aren’t harming others) Love as an ability rather than just a feeling Tending to the love that already exists within us Approaching situations from wisdom and balance rather than reactive emotions Devotion and objects of refuge in meditation practice A straightforward instruction from Maharaj-ji: love everyone and tell the truth Remembering that having boundaries does not mean a lack of love About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant, working with companies to create a variety of offerings that integrate meditation into a broader health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community. “You’re lucky enough to have objects of refuge that are somebody you admire or respect, who has accomplished a great deal. You invite that energy into your ecosystem and when your mind wanders, your heart reconnects you to the object of the refuge. That brings you back together with the awareness and sense of connection.” –David Nichtern 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 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. “I think that’s what Ram Dass was saying—that other people, situations, art, so many things may inspire love or invoke it or threaten it, but ultimately it is ours to tend, to nurture, to grow. It is within us and that can be very empowering.” –Sharon Salzberg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#662
September 4 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 662 – Mindrolling Revisited: Reality and Karma with Robert Thurman
Turning back time to 2018, we revisit a conversation between Dr. Thurman and Raghu Markus about facing reality, transforming our reactivity, and understanding karma. You can help continue Dr. Thurman’s life’s work to preserve Tibetan culture. Visit Tibet House to learn more. In this episode, Robert Thurman and Raghu explore: Buddhism as a realistic approach to understanding reality The projections and stories we tell ourselves every day Working with fear and judgment in meditation Entering the gaps of mental reactivity Karma: an intentional action with evolutionary consequences The relationship between self-awareness and the direction of our karma Buddhist perspectives on rebirth and reincarnation The distinction between unconscious rebirth and consciously choosing to return Neem Karoli Baba and the experience of living completely in reality The intimate connection between absolute reality and unconditional love About Dr. Robert Thurman: Robert Thurman (1941-2026) was an American Buddhist author and academic who wrote, edited, and translated many books on Tibetan Buddhism. He was the Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University before retiring in June 2019. He held the first endowed chair in Buddhist Studies in the West. After education at Phillips Exeter and Harvard, he studied Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism for almost thirty years as a personal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He wrote both scholarly and popular books and lectured widely all over the world. As President of the American Institute for Buddhist Studies, he convened the First Inner Science Conference with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Amherst College in 1984. He was also a founding trustee of Tibet House New York. Check out his most recent book Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life. Robert Thurman made many appearances on our network, and he is greatly missed. “Being realistic is the best approach because the better you understand reality, the happier you will be. The less you understand it, the more unnecessary trouble you will put yourself through. That’s why when people ask what Buddhism is, I tell them that Buddhism is realism.” –Robert Thurman See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#661
August 28 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 661 – Recovery 2.0 with Tommy Rosen & Gagan Levy
Tommy Rosen, Gagan Levy, and Raghu Markus explore addiction and the everyday choices that shape recovery and a meaningful life. Be part of the Recovery 2.0 community with online recovery meetings that are open to anyone: Click Here to Register This time on Mindrolling, Tommy, Gagan and Raghu explore: Growing up in a home filled with anxiety and developing a sense that something is always wrong How oftentimes addiction comes from seeking relief and homeostasis Distraction and Procrastination as forms of addiction Ram Dass’s approach to working with habits of the mind Facing the long, dark night of the soul The ‘nitty-gritty’ of how we choose to live our lives The five core tenets of Tommy’s program, ‘Recovery 2.0’ How working the 12-steps guarantees a spiritual experience Tending to the needs of mind, body, and soul About Tommy Rosen: Tommy Rosen is the founder and host of the Recovery 2.0: Beyond Addiction Online Conference and presents workshops annually at Esalen, Omega, and Kripalu. One of the pioneers in the burgeoning field of Yoga and Recovery, he holds advanced certifications in both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga and has 20 years of recovery from acute drug addiction. Tommy and his wife, noted yoga instructor, Kia Miller, live in Venice, California, where they teach yoga and grow organic vegetables in their backyard. Check out Tommy’s upcoming retreats and his book, Recovery 2.0. “In recovery circles, we see a lot of people who struggle for a lifetime. They aren’t going to implode their life like we did, but if you asked any human being, do you want to ‘get through life’ or do you really want to seize this day and realise yourself, your heart’s desires and dreams, everyone would say ‘of course I do’. Well, maybe you have to change the ways that you’re facing a 24-hour period of time.” –Tommy Rosen About Gagan Levy: Gagan Levy is the Founder/CEO of Guru, an award-winning creative agency dedicated to serving purpose-driven movements, brands, and organizations. They work with impactful brands like Patagonia, Traditional Medicinals, Nalgene, Non-GMO, The Organic Alliance, Bring Change to Mind and many natural products brands, including EO / Everyone Products, OM Mushroom Superfoods, and REBBL. Gagan also serves as Chief Evangelist at MAHA Global, a platform focused on helping businesses adapt to stakeholder needs using data-driven reputation intelligence. As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, Gagan leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just, and prosperous for all. Gagan Levy is also a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation. Grab a copy of Gagan’s book, Start Your Own Damn Cult, A Founder’s Field Guide, for a practical and actionable framework for building from coherence, holding power without unraveling, and winning without wrecking yourself, your team, or the planet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#660
August 21 · 58 min
Ep. 660 – The Complete Path of Mindfulness with Melvin McLeod
Melvin McLeod, editor of Lion’s Roar, shares his new vision of mindfulness as a complete way of living, from cultivating concentration and awareness to understanding our place in the universe. Check out Melvin’s podcast series, The Complete Path of Mindfulness, where he talks with leaders in the field about a groundbreaking new advance in mindfulness practice. Melvin and his guests explore mindfulness as not only a helpful meditation technique, but as a complete, transformative path of life. This time on Mindrolling, Melvin and Raghu explore: Looking into what this life and universe is all about Leading happier and more meaningful lives Seeing mindfulness as a complete path of life Melvin’s four identified keys of mindfulness Inspiration from Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most important spiritual teachers of this age Developing the power of concentration Following a path without adopting a formal religion Recognizing our deep, intimate connection with all things Investigating the nature of awareness Taming the mind and the RAIN method taught by Tara Brach Be Here Now: Inhabiting the moment with loving-awareness Melvin’s interview with Joanna Macy, renowned Buddhist thinker, environmental activist, and author About Melvin McLeod: Melvin McLeod is the editor-at-large of Lion's Roar, the largest media organization in the English language devoted to Buddhist meditation and mindfulness, and co-founder of Mindful magazine. He has been practicing for more than 40 years and is a well-known and respected authority on mindfulness and meditation. His ground-breaking teaching on the Complete Path of Mindfulness has been praised by leaders in the field as an important advance in how mindfulness is defined and practiced. Check out his new book to learn more about this innovative work: With a Single Breath: The Complete Path of Mindfulness. “When mindfulness is seen not simply as a helpful meditation technique but as a complete path of life, it can offer the same powerful tools for personal and societal transformation traditionally only offered by religion in an evidence-driven, common-sense format, for all of those people who are not especially interested in following a capital ‘R’ religious path.” –Melvin McLeod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#659
August 14 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 659 – An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path with Samuel Bercholz
Challenging our perceptions of reality, Samuel Bercholz and Raghu discuss loosening the ego’s grip through meditation and opening to the humor beneath it all. Click HERE to preorder Samuel’s upcoming book, Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path This time on Mindrolling, Samuel and Raghu explore: Dipping a toe into all religions and learning how to meditate The humble beginnings of Shambhala Publications Addictions to ego and so-called reality Witnessing the beautiful emptiness within Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche How Ram Dass moved within many different spiritual circles Entering the mind of Buddha through meditation Stepping out of the bureaucracy of ego Not being too serious / blending love and humor About Samuel Bercholz: Sam Bercholz is a senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Shambhala Publications. He was a close disciple of Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and was empowered by them to teach and given the title Acharya (religious instructor). He has taught extensively in North America, Europe, and Australasia. He was particularly empowered by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche to teach from A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar. “What I’ve learned through Buddhist practice and being with great teachers is that the fixed ideas of reality and viewing the world were 180 degrees off. We experience things exactly backwards. Our habit of reality is so skewed that it makes all perceptions backwards. We choose our realities, and we become addicted to keeping that reality going.” –Samuel Bercholz See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#658
August 7 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 658 – Ubuntu: Connecting to our Common Humanity with John Lockley
Explaining the South African Philosophy of Ubuntu, traditional healer John Lockley discusses ancestral connection and the wisdom of our collective human story. In this episode, John and Raghu explore: Giving thanks to our biological ancestors Reconciling with ancestors who may have done bad deeds Calling in the names of our ancestors as a path to honoring all of our human relations John’s experience being raised through Apartheid in South Africa How Nelson Mandela spread the teachings of Ubuntu Connecting to our dreams to connect to our humanity and our ancestors The circle of Ubuntu and realizing that we are all equal Humility as the foundation of any spiritual practice A guided ancestral practice from John About John Lockley: John Lockley began his journey as a young medic drafted into the South African military. He then trained under Zen master Su Bong from South Korea, and returned to post-Apartheid South Africa to spend 10 years in apprenticeship with MaMngwevu, a medicine woman from the Xhosa tribe. His remarkable journey through the constraints of Apartheid is a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Find out more about John’s work and learn more about his numerous upcoming events, retreats, and other offerings at JohnLockley.com. “Wherever you are, whatever you’re experiencing, know that you’re a child of nature, a child of the great one.” –John Lockley See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#657
July 31 · 54 min
Ep. 657 – Reflections on Impermanence with Todd Fink
Philosopher-artist and psychotherapist Todd Fink joins Raghu to trace the threads that connect art, science, and mysticism. Grab a copy of Todd’s first book, Losslessness: reflections on impermanence, glimpses of forever, HERE! This time on Mindrolling, Todd and Raghu chat about: Diving into mysticism and how every part contains the whole Quantum physics and the observer effect Impermanence and seeing the eternal in all things Sacred friction and ‘irritating the status quo’ Abhaya: shedding the illusion and revealing fearlessness How Maharaj-ji led people to both Bhakti Yoga and Buddhism The inseparability of love and discriminating wisdom Trust, sincerity, and courage in practice About Todd Fink: Along with his brother E. Fink, Todd co-founded the acclaimed music group The Giving Tree Band. He’s had an album reach the Top 40 on the Americana Radio Charts, and the Kind Mind podcast has been a top show globally in the categories of philosophy and self-help. An Ivy League-trained licensed psychotherapist, he also holds certifications in addiction counseling and mindfulness meditation teaching. He earned a BA in psychology from Georgetown University and MS in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University. In addition to 25+ years of professional mental health work with diverse populations, his academic expertise and research include international welfare, psychedelic practice, advocacy, psychopathology, and more. A lifelong student of meditation, Todd works fervently to help guide individuals, organizations, and communities toward ecological balance, well-being, and peace. “Love isn’t what we get or what we lost, but really that’s what we are. Same with meditation—meditation isn’t something we do. Meditation is what we are. When we sit, when we chant, or when we pray, it gives us a chance to strip away the pretenses.” –Todd Fink See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#656
July 24 · 55 min
Ep. 656 – Sweeter than Revenge with David Richo
Psychotherapist and author David Richo shares how to move past the destructive urge to retaliate through principles of psychology, Buddhism, and more. Grab a copy of David’s newest book, Sweeter than Revenge: Overcoming Your Payback Mind and Achieving Real Connection in all Your Relationships This time on Mindrolling, David and Raghu discuss: Retaliation and separateness as the ego’s favorite sports Rolling with the punches and not expecting full acknowledgment from everyone Expanding our ability to handle whatever happens in life Saying ‘yes’ to the opportunity of grace Righteousness versus healthy communication Forbearance: how long-term mindfulness practice can help us be less reactive Opening the path to enlightenment through forgiveness About David Richo: David Richo, PhD, MFT, is a psychotherapist, teacher, workshop leader, and writer who works in Santa Barbara and San Francisco, California. He combines Jungian, poetic, and mythic perspectives in his work with the intention of integrating the psychological and the spiritual. His books and workshops include attention to Buddhist and Christian spiritual practices. Check out David’s website to learn more. “What is ego? The insertion of our entitlement to be treated with honor, respect, and full acknowledgment by everyone. Some people like us and some people don’t. You gotta roll with those kinda punches rather than take revenge on anyone that doesn’t come through positively for you.” –David Richo See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#655
July 17 · 59 min
Ep. 655 – Start Your Own Damn Cult with Gagan Levy
Gagan Levy, founder/CEO of Guru, explores how to integrate the eight limbs of yoga into business and leadership practices. Grab a copy of Gagan’s book, Start Your Own Damn Cult, A Founder's Field Guide, for a practical and actionable framework for building from coherence, holding power without unraveling, and winning without wrecking yourself, your team, or the planet. This week on Mindrolling, Gagan and Raghu discuss: Bhakti Yoga and sitting in moments of joy Incorporating spirituality into business Gagan’s first meeting with Ram Dass Integrating the eight limbs of yoga into leadership How authenticity beats perfection every single time Gagan’s explanation of the ‘integrity inventory’ Hanuman as a helpful reminder of the aspirational self About Gagan Levy: Gagan Levy is the Founder/CEO of Guru, an award-winning creative agency dedicated to serving purpose-driven movements, brands, and organizations. They work with impactful brands like Patagonia, Traditional Medicinals, Nalgene, Non-GMO, The Organic Alliance, Bring Change to Mind and many natural products brands, including EO / Everyone Products, OM Mushroom Superfoods, and REBBL. Gagan also serves as Chief Evangelist at MAHA Global, a platform focused on helping businesses adapt to stakeholder needs using data-driven reputation intelligence. As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, Gagan leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just, and prosperous for all. Gagan Levy is also a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dass’ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation. “I am so committed on my individual level to my practice to be a better father, a better partner, better human, but I haven’t integrated the eight limbs into my leadership. What could that mean? What could that look like?” –Gagan Levy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#654
July 10 · 54 min
Ep. 654 – Be Here Now Network's 10th Anniversary Celebration with Duncan Trussell, Raghu Markus & Kelly Rego
Duncan Trussell joins Raghu Markus and Kelly Rego for a heartfelt conversation on Ram Dass’s enduring legacy and the auspicious experiences that brought the Be Here Now Network team together. In this episode, Duncan, Raghu, & Kelly discuss: Duncan’s introduction to Ram Dass: swimming, playing, and seeing the light again How Ram Dass helped Duncan process the loss of his mother Spreading Ram Dass’s love and legacy through the Be Here Now Network How the universe guides us right to where we need to be Moving through a dark night of the soul The lasting love we have for those we have lost The profound generosity of giving our full attention to another About Kelly Rego: Kelly Rego is an Integrated Marketing & Media Specialist. An Emerson College alumni, Kelly has over 15 years experience of facilitating projects into reality. She has worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer with women’s groups and dairy cooperatives in Costa Rica, a media strategist and buyer in New York City, and has produced a full-length documentary. Kelly is the Marketing Director for Ram Dass’s Love Serve Remember Foundation, as well as the project manager of Be Here Now Network, a podcast network dedicated to spirituality, mindfulness, and personal growth. About Duncan Trussell: Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com. “At the time, I was living in a roach motel. Literally roaches everywhere, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, super depressed. I would just lie on this mattress listening to Ram Dass; it was really helping a lot. LA can be so lonely and weird. On the website, it said you can arrange these phone calls with Ram Das—I signed up. All of a sudden, Ram Dass is on the screen...beaming out from Hawaii into this garbage apartment” –Duncan Trussell See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#653
July 3 · 52 min
Ep. 653 – The Tibetan Book of Success with Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche
Meditation master and teacher Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche explores tools for success from Tibetan wisdom on mindfulness, gratitude, and more. Get your own copy of The Tibetan Book of Success HERE. This week on Mindrolling, Orgyen and Raghu discuss: What life was like for Orgyen growing up in a remote village in Tibet The Tibetan Buddhist leader Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Reframing the construct of ‘success’ The 10 powers that lead us to success: wisdom, integrity, decency, mindfulness, fairness, reliability, gratitude, hopefulness, faith, generosity Lessons from Mipham Rinpoche The necessity of respect for good communication Navigating conflict through mindfulness and decency Self-awareness as the number one tool for good communication How inner emptiness shapes how we see the world Discriminating awareness, deciding what to accept vs. what to reject About Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche: Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche is a meditation teacher and master in the Nyingma lineage of the Buddhist tradition residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the author of Our Pristine Mind: A Practical Guide to Unconditional Happiness, and is known for his accessible, passionate, and joyful approach to personal transformation. Rinpoche teaches regularly in the Bay Area, and travels throughout the world speaking to a broad range of audiences about how to improve their lives through meditation. He received his education and training for nine years starting at the age of fourteen at Larung Gar in Serta, eastern Tibet, with his teacher, the great Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche, who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the twentieth century. Learn more about Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche’s work and his non-profit, The Pristine Mind Foundation. “Even if someone is in conflict, you need to be mindful, reliable, you need to be a decent person at the same time. Then, it works. If your mind is in conflict, if there’s anger, resentment, that totally destroys communication.” –Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#652
June 26 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 652 – Unclamping the Heart: A Tribute to Bob Thurman
Be Here Now Network invites you to listen to this special look back at Dr. Robert Thurman’s many appearances on Mindrolling. We hear about Ram Dass, surfing reality, keeping an open heart, and so much more. You can help continue Dr. Thurman’s life’s work to preserve Tibetan culture. Visit Tibet House to learn more. Spanning 10 years of collaboration with the podcast, Dr. Thurman talks about: His decades-long friendship with Ram Dass Unclamping the heart and seeing our connection with all people Clearing out the poison of fear and judgment The precious gem of our human embodiment, the waking bardo Surfing through reality, rather than trying to control it A realistic take on the Eightfold Path and right livelihood How releasing selfishness actually benefits us and creates joy Lessons on altruism & education from the Dalai Lama Cultivating both a clever mind and an open heart About Dr. Robert Thurman: Robert Thurman (1941-2026) was an American Buddhist author and academic who wrote, edited, and translated many books on Tibetan Buddhism. He was the Je Tsongkhapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University before retiring in June 2019. He held the first endowed chair in Buddhist Studies in the West. After education at Philips Exeter and Harvard, he studied Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism for almost thirty years as a personal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He wrote both scholarly and popular books and lectured widely all over the world. As President of the American Institute for Buddhist Studies, he convened the First Inner Science Conference with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Amherst College in 1984. He was also a founding trustee of Tibet House New York. Check out his most recent book Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life. “When you’re not generous enough, when you’re not open-hearted enough, when you haven’t cultivated opening yourself, then you shoot right past it, just like we shoot through our life. At the moment of death, people report, ‘My life flashed before my eyes in a split second.’ What that means is they didn’t live lucidly. They ran around making money, getting pleasure, doing things, and they have only one split second of quality time when they were there now somewhere” –Dr. Thurman See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#651
June 19 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 651 – Karmic Relief: Understanding Karma with Phil Goldberg
Author Phil Goldberg explores the laws of karma as an educational tool for awakening rather than as a system of spiritual judgment. Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give here: BHNN 10th Birthday Fundraiser This week on Mindrolling, Phil and Raghu discuss: The rise of karma in American pop culture The Law of Karma by Dr. Robert Svoboda Looking to science to understand the laws of karma Exploring consciousness through The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown How the same action can produce different karmas depending on our states of mind Every moment as the result of karma Grab a copy of Phil's book, Karmic Relief, and explore more about karma and how it can be used. About Phil Goldberg: Philip Goldberg is the author or co-author of numerous books, including the award-winning American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation, How Indian Spirituality Changed the World (2010); the definitive biography of Paramahansa Yogananda, The Life of Yogananda: The Story of the Yogi Who Became the First Modern Guru (2018); the timeless Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times: Powerful Tools to Cultivate Calm, Clarity, and Courage (2020); and his latest, Karmic Relief: Harnessing the Laws of Cause and Effect for a Joyful, Meaningful Life (2025). His numerous articles have appeared in publications ranging from the Los Angeles Times to Huffington Post to Spirituality & Health. As a public speaker and workshop leader, he has presented at leading venues online and in person. A spiritual counselor, meditation teacher, and ordained Interfaith Minister as well, he hosts the Spirit Matters podcast and writes substantive essays on his Substack, Practical Spirituality with Philip Goldberg. He is also an active board member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity. “The same action can produce different karma depending on the state of the mind of the person doing it and their intention. Someone can write a big check, but if they’re doing it to get their name on a plaque, it doesn’t have the same karmic impact as a humble person giving what they can without any hope of recognition or any ego.” –Phil Goldberg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#650
June 12 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 650 – How to Live (and Die) Without Fear with RamDev
Old friends RamDev and Raghu revisit memories of Maharaj-ji as they explore the wisdom of holding both joy and sorrow in the awakened heart. Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give here: BHNN 10th Birthday Fundraiser In this episode, Raghu and RamDev have a conversation on: Memories with Maharaj-ji from Allahabad (now Prayagraj), India The Tibetan Buddhist concept of Rigpa (the awakened mind) K.C. Tewari’s constant mindfulness and advanced yogic state Honoring the religion of our roots as we explore spirituality Compassion: keeping your heart open when there is suffering Tantric Buddhism and empowerment Holding both joy and sadness at the same time Shifting from the cerebral to embodied mindfulness practice ‘Minding the gap’ between thoughts and the breath Coming out on June 16th, preorder RamDev’s newest book: How to Live So You Can Die Without Fear About RamDev: 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 Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of spiritual support for those with life-threatening illness, on caregiving as a spiritual practice, and on healing at the edge, the edge of illness, of death, of loss, of crisis. Check out RamDev’s podcast, Healing at the Edge, on the Be Here Now Network. “He’s looking at this picture, and the feeling started getting so thick. Some tears started coming down Maharaj-ji’s cheeks. The feeling was that he was remembering the moment when Ram embraced Hanuman. All the people in the front began weeping; there was so much love.”–RamDev See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#649
June 5 · 1 hr
Ep. 649 – The Alchemy of Compassion & Equanimity with Joseph Goldstein & Noah Markus
Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give at: BHNN 10th Birthday Fundraiser Joseph Goldstein, along with Noah & Raghu Markus, discuss how to maintain a balance of compassion and equanimity for a more peaceful life. This time on Mindrolling, Joseph, Noah, and Raghu explore: Buddhist philosophy on relative truth vs. ultimate truth Feeling the body as an energy field of changing sensations rather than something solid How one can tend the heart in troubled times The manifestations of reactivity that make the heart retract Seeing our reality as a blip in cosmic time Inspiring awe through nature as a way to open and soften the heart The book Fall of Civilizations by Paul Cooper Balancing the qualities of compassion and equanimity Investigating the phenomena of thinking rather than the content of a thought Lessons on direct experience from the Bāhiya Sutta About Joseph Goldstein: Joseph Goldstein has been leading insight and loving-kindness meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where he is one of the organization’s guiding teachers. In 1989, together with several other teachers and students of insight meditation, he helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. “At those times, you’re stronger on the compassion side and less strong on the equanimity side. When you see that, that can be a good reminder: ‘Oh yeah, this is what’s happening; I need to go out and look at the stars’. We need both. Either one by itself can tend to states that may not be that helpful.” –Joseph Goldstein About Noah Markus: Noah Markus is a content curator & archivist for Love Serve Remember Foundation. He spends his time curating Ram Dass content for podcasts, courses, and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 29 · 1 hr
Ep. 648 –Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life with Eric Zimmer
Author and speaker Eric Zimmer shares how committing to small, sustainable habits transformed his life—moving him from addiction and homelessness to integrity and meaning. Grab Eric’s book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. This week on Mindrolling, Eric and Raghu chat about: Burning the house to the ground: Eric’s experience with kleptomania, addiction, and homelessness Embarking on a life-long spiritual quest and journey of self-transformation How meditation creates more space between stimulus and response The opportunity to make better choices when we slow down through mindfulness Why lasting change is so difficult Cultivating new habits of both thought and behavior Treating yourself as if you are a friend or child Becoming a positive force in the world “Things that feel insurmountable now often can become almost second nature down the line." –Eric Zimmer About Eric Zimmer: Eric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcast—an award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. At 24, Eric was homeless, addicted to heroin, and facing prison. His journey from those depths sparked his lifelong inquiry into human transformation and resilience. Through his behavior coaching, workshops, and mentorship, he has guided thousands worldwide in creating sustainable habits that last—not through willpower or epiphany, but through steady change. His approach combines cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom, providing practical pathways to greater integrity and deeper meaning. His story and his work have been featured in the media, including TedX, Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal, the BBC and Brain Pickings. Check out his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. “One of the critiques of the modern mindfulness movement is that it divorces the practice from the ethical structures from which it evolved, which leads to ‘I’m just focused on me getting better and feeling better.’ While that’s an important and useful aim, it’s only half the game. The other half of the game is that it is in service of other people and being able to be a positive force in the world. We all have the ability to be a positive force in the world.” –Eric Zimmer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 22 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 647 – Women in Love with the Divine with Erica Bassani
From her research into female spiritual role models, Writer Erica Bassani joins Raghu to discuss her new book which offers an exploration of faith, practice, and feminine power. Grab your copy of Women in Love with the Divine or join Erica in Awakening Softness, transformational 1 on 1 sessions for rediscovering the sacredness of daily life. This week on Mindrolling, Erica and Raghu have a conversation on: Honoring femininity and presence through the wisdom of modern female spiritual teachers Erica’s inspiration from her father’s spirituality and her year-long monastery stay at 19 years old. Gratitude practice towards the divine mother and our own mothers Considering how the wisdom of women may differ from the wisdom of men The extraordinary warmth and compassion of Garchen Rinpoche Moving away from one-dimensional ways of overcoming conflict Entering into feminine gentleness and finding our power within ourselves How transcending the ego can actually become spiritual bypassing Becoming present when we start to doubt the existence of God Cultivating inner peace as our individual contribution to the chaos of the world “I started writing it 3 years ago from a need of meeting living women who dedicate their life to the divine. I really needed in that time of my life, I was going through personal crisis and spiritual crisis, I realized all my teachers had been men. Which, I am very grateful to them, but at that point I started really needing female role models, the examples of women who are today in this world doing the spiritual life." –Erica Bassani About Erica Bassani: Erica Bassani is a writer based in Italy. A graduate of the Academy of Storytelling in Turin, she spent a year living in a Theravadan Buddhist monastery at the age of 23. Since then, she has turned to female spiritual teachers from diverse traditions to help her navigate her inner journey. She created the Women Awakening Project—an initiative that highlights the wisdom of female spiritual role models and explores spiritual practice through the lens of women’s experiences—to share their wisdom and create a bridge between generations of seekers. Bassani is author of Donne che Esplorano il Divino, co-author (with Massimo Bonomelli) of Va Bene Così, and the Italian translator of The Four Noble Truths of Love by Susan Piver. “Women didn’t follow their own way of coming to power. They followed more the masculine way, the patriarchal way of getting to power. This, of course, creates a very weird shift inside. It creates suffering ultimately because of a disconnection with where actually is the source of power in us, especially as women, and possibly for men as well. The source of power can be in the heart, can be more embodied and exclusive, more aware of the different parts of the situation instead of this focused way which cuts out many other things, it's a more gentler way.” –Erica Bassani See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#646
May 15 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 646 – The DoubleBlind Guide to Psychedelics with Madison Margolin
Author, journalist, and co-founder of DoubleBlind, Madison Margolin, joins Raghu to explore her latest project: creating a roadmap to tripping, microdosing, and beyond. Grab your copy of The DoubleBlind Guide to Psychedelics In this episode, Madison and Raghu step into the world of: Emerging theories of Ibogaine use in Parkinson's treatment Defining ‘psychedelics’ and Dr. Ben Malcom’s (aka The Spirit Pharmacist) view on psychedelic & somatic awareness What the clinical world can take away from indigenous plant medicine rituals Ram Dass’s journey from psychedelic research to spirituality Spiritual seekers: from India to South America How regular practice helps us connect to deeper layers of reality Feeling beyond time and space Punctuating psychedelic experiences with spiritual practice Altered states in the history of Judaism Psychedelics for war zones, trauma, and religious leaders Accessing your set, setting, and mental health dispositions “Doing psychedelics under the stewardship of an indigenous culture is equally legitimate to doing it in a clinical context, and it’s also legitimate to do it at a Grateful Dead show. What I really want to get at is that the way the tribes or indigenous cultures regard these medicines is through community, song, prayer, connection to nature, reciprocity, those are all values that even the clinical world can borrow and emulate as they design their trials." –Madison Margolin About Madison Margolin: Madison is an author and journalist who straddles California, New York, and the Israel-Palestine region, with a focus on psychedelics, cannabis, and Judaism — jokingly referring to it as “Jews & Drugs.” Her reporting also spans culture, policy, and science. At the center of her work is a sustained curiosity about how people transcend the mind to access something larger than themselves, whether through psychedelics, spirituality, meditation, art, or somatic practice. Much of her writing explores the different ways people nourish the soul. Madison is the co-founder of DoubleBlind, the print and digital magazine that covers psychedelics and their intersections with mental health, spirituality, environmental justice, and social equity. She also co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit and hosts the podcast Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network. She has worked in journalism since 2014, with bylines in outlets including Rolling Stone, Vice Media, Playboy, High Times, Tablet Magazine, and Nylon. She began her journalism career with a cannabis column at The Village Voice shortly after graduating from Columbia Journalism School. Before that, she lived in Tel Aviv, where she worked with Israel’s African refugee community. Earlier in her life, she lived at the Cloyne co-op while studying rhetoric and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a language enthusiast who speaks or dabbles in French, Russian, Yiddish, and Hebrew. Outside of work and writing, she is usually dancing, spinning a hula hoop, or practicing yoga. Madison Margolin is also the author of Exile and Ecstacy, a book on Growing Up with Ram Dass and Coming of Age in the Jewish Psychedelic Underground. Learn more about Madison’s work at madisonmargolin.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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