What does the world need right now?! A "Bhakti Revival"! This is my new ambitious and REAL LIFE project (ie, not online), based right here in Portugal, where I am happily hosting live kirtan dancing and musical jam sessions in the near future. Please see my full dance performance at www.curiousbodhipodcast.com . Let's bring God back to life and to each other with limitless expressions of love and joy! Jai, jai, jai!...
In this episode, we tackle the "problem" of whether we are truly infinite beings! Get ready for a philosophical and uplifting talk on how we can expand... and expand... and expand... Rodrigo and I 'argue' that we are completely infinite and that there are millions of ways to do a million things... and that no perspective in particular is right or wrong. We human beings limit ourselves based firstly on our parents' projections, then on our cultural upbringings and systems of thought (such as capi...
Many feel as if they are not growing spiritually, nor positively, because their life-force energy is being held back in some way. This is usually due to cultural and social influences but also can be due to early trauma or emotions such as shame and guilt. But, these shadows can be overcome and we can be truly happy, in the Dharmic sense, by following the necessity of uplifting ourselves and each other through: compassion, bodily movement/imbibement, doing what pleases us, and even big changes s...
The pinnacle of spiritual evolution is about other people -- and not just people, but animals and all those inhabiting this universal sphere with us: from Tibetan gods and goddesses to Shiva, Vishnu, Narayana, Krishna and all our spiritual friends both seen and unseen. Enjoy, and please reach out to me! I love you!
Do Buddhists simply focus on themselves rather than the greater good going on out there? Absolutely not! In this joint episode, I talk to Nick and Jared who host an awesome podcast called Revolution and Ideology, and we talk about whether Buddhism can make an impact from first the "individual level" and then on to a massive scale. But, we are not simply limited to Buddhism -- all Dharmic paths are involved, since they ultimately lead to final liberation. In the age of our pandemic, lasting one y...
A short message on what the meaning of life is about. Loneliness, or the sense of being alone, is only down to a distorted view of what life means. True compassion -- what the Buddha realised under the Bodhi tree -- is knowing that focusing on OTHERS as opposed to the "me" is what makes us actually happy. It's a simple truth but as a wise man once said: "The truth is simple, but the seekers of truth are complex." Namaste!
Who are the greatest teachers, wholeheartedly devoted to truth, who deserve more time in the spotlight? Of the numerous masters I've studied over the past five years, the works of three great teachers stood the test of time: Sri Acharya of Dharma Nation, Leo Gura of Actualized.org, and Shunyamurti of the Sat Yoga Institute. In our episode, I give guidance on what these teachers are made of -- from ancient Vedic tradition to the mind-bending nature of reality. Also included in our episode is talk...
The Dharma, meaning "the eternal, natural, way" is rich in ways to access the truth -- the Buddha most famously saying there are 84,000 doors to enlightenment. But what does this have to say about the way we interpret our own minds, and indeed, the world? Which perspective holds the most accountability for the deepest nature of reality, reflecting the entire picture of truth when we compare this with the western scientific view? The Dharma as a "better" way to know the truth and the divine is pr...
Clarity can be conceived as either a "small" and contracted concept or we can choose to see clarity in its larger sphere. Clarity in Buddhism is a sort of good habit to attain; indeed, if our goal is enlightenment, then Buddhahood is the ultimate clarity! Rodrigo Jacinto speaks with me, while taking a walk in the wild pear fields, about what clarity means in our everyday lives. He is an expert in having a positive worldview that he shares regularly with others. Rodrigo lives in Portugal and was ...
We are joined by two guests: Rodrigo Jacinto, native to Portugal and Andrzej Idzikowski, native to Poland, to talk about what freedom means and our future after this epidemic. In my previous episode, 73, I went into detail on the premonitions I have had about the virus and its future implications, especially this coming Autumn, so tune in to hear more. It's important to preserve freedom of expression and speech, so we talk freely about "the epidemic" and how this will impact human beings' consci...
After a long break, here are the various insights I've found on dreams and premonitions of what could come out of this auspicious, mysterious, and fully weird moment in history. As spiritual beings living a Dharmic lifestyle, sometimes it's necessary to follow our instinct to create seclusion in our environments, for reflection and relaxation, and see what comes to the surface. It's always a surprise, I tell you! Our dreams enrich our waking world... after all, the Buddha mentioned that life is ...
The Dhamma is really uncomplicated if we wish to make it so... but the trick is that we have to start where we are and be honest about what we know and what we don't know. For a western audience especially, this is imperative so that we start out with the fundamentals in mind and in heart before hurriedly moving to esoteric and highly ritualistic teachings, such as Tantrayana. Whether Vajrayana or Theravada, the overarching similarities all include the 8-fold path; compassion as a core component...
Two simultaneous dreams that reveal the nature of reality, as I strive for the largest portrait of the truth in this lifetime. Can you help me interpret these dreams? Please email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with your findings!
If you have the feeling that the pandemic is more than questionable and misleading - you are not alone! I go over the recent unfoldment of events from both my personal life and in the wider community where I have been avidly listening, watching, and researching for months. Youtube and Facebook are actively silencing, censoring, and banning "dissident" opinions if they are not in the view of the mainstream; however, qualified doctors and scientists are speaking out about the virus' lack of verifi...
Good morning! A simple message about love and what you are.
This episode follows up on part 1 (episode 55) of building your own eco-home in Portugal, but it will help you with your dreams no matter which country you choose to build in. Here, we talk specifically about building out of shipping containers. What exactly is a "rough finish" for your container, and what steps do you need to take to start to build one? Step-by-step, we go over: types of industrial-grade metal paint for the outside, creating the skeleton and stud walls with plasterboard, joinin...
We give a brief overview of what the Buddha has to offer us in terms of wisdom; indeed, 2500 years ago, the Buddha discovered what we are discovering in quantum physics today, and we compare this with Einstein's knowledge. Spiritual science and material science really just explore different facets of the same reality. Both seek to explain the ultimate nature of existence, but the scope and focus is not the same: IE, the Buddhist explores the mind, body, and (non-physical) heart whereas science m...
Rarely do I do an opinion piece, but this is too big to ignore. Because of the global scale of the virus, we should be asking the same analytical questions, and more. Why are economies essentially destroying themselves? What excuses are being made to overturn our monetary system? Already, we are seeing blows to small businesses and farmer's markets - who are either forced to shut down completely or we are advised to stay away from. What extra measures will governments put in place to make sure w...
Spirituality is for everyone! Although we have different capacities in terms of intellect and obtaining knowledge, creativity, physical abilities, and so on... the same force operating the macrocosm - reality - is operating within each individual as a microcosm. What is the same within all humans, regardless of the coming-and-going of experiences? We all have consciousness, which is the only prerequisite for finding out the truth about ourselves. Spirituality transcends absolutely every individu...
We are all subject to what the Buddha called the "three poisons": greed, hatred, and delusion. If we look closely, it is clear that addiction - affecting not just oneself but loved ones and the wider community - are bound up with the poisons. Studying the Dhamma is a helpful motivator to move beyond addiction and free oneself. Since putting down his beer glass for the last time over 20 years ago, Vince Cullen has been practicing the Buddha Dhamma. He started his recovery at the Wat Thamkrabok mo...
This Satsang is for advanced spiritual seekers and knowers of the divine to reinvigorate the reason we are reaching for awakening. We talk about the forces that keep us returning to Samsara, the Dark Night of the Soul, and enlightenment.
Relax into this comforting reawakening meditation for your spiritual empowerment.
In episode 40, I had the good fortune of interviewing Sri Acharya; this is the second interview in our series. Now, I ask: how is our current political, economic, and technological situation related to the Vedic literature? What is Sri Acharya's view on the rise of technology throughout our societies? We also go into the nature of the gods, goddesses, devas, dakinis, and whether or not offering Puja and Yagya is required along with direct connection with God. Interestingly, we talk about what pl...
This is an inspiration episode on how all of us are truly "creatures of endurance". Whether you are fresh into sports or have years of experience, I help explain how endurance training - and running in particular - can benefit your spiritual life. In the past 5 years, I have run just over 8,000 kilometers. I've run tied to a dog, up the Himalayas, and had to constantly carry pepper spray in my home city. Life doesn't stop, and neither do my feet! The three aspects to endure in life, and running ...
Nowadays, it's preferable to call Hinduism by another name: "Sanatana Dharma", which has Dharma right in the name. The Sanskrit word Dharma has a difficult direct English translation, but the closest is akin to "Cosmic Law". In Indian society, it's no secret that upholding Dharma also has various practical implications for the family, social roles, morality, health and diet, and later on - and preposterously out of context, the caste system. Because Dharma is included in these various systems, t...
This Sutta is the Buddha's reminder that we all carry the same prospects for aging, sickness, death, separation, and acting in the world. The Buddha reminds us that we harbour our own actions, as all other beings harbour them, too. One person gets sick, but so does another. We are not immune nor separate from these facts. If we can take these facts as facts and not as hindrances, then we grow stronger and rest in the liberative affects of the Dhamma through contemplation, meditation, and practic...
Recently, I have had the good fortune of having many mild realisations on the nature of reality, and I want to share them with you. These often inspire my episodes -- so the good news is that the Dharma works! Even better news is that you don't have to call it "Dharma" or even be a Buddhist. Here, we go over what a "Buddha" actually is (a non-denominational entity) and how this relates to the value of non-separation or not seeing yourself apart from anyone or anything else. The truth is... there...
Anna Zambreny of "Anna's Intuitive" podcast conducts an interview with me on the fruition of my spiritual awakenings and coming to Buddhism through my struggle with poverty with advice for anyone who is living below-the-line. Also, we talk about what Buddha-Dharma is and how I practice nowadays after the dark times have disappeared. Anna also wants to know about the mind/body/spirit continuum and how trauma is stored in the body - some topics of discussion include the biofield, massage therapy, ...
I recently gave up my past history after 11 years in London (mundane job, rented flat, water and electric bills, less time for loving life) to move off-grid in Portugal. We bought a plot of land and imported four large shipping containers for the basic structure of our home. If you are thinking of doing something similar, I give advice about my experiences so far with: basic survival guidelines, unexpected consequences of new terrain and weather, creating a water system and harnessing rain, the ...
What is this mysterious "not-self" (Anatta) we keep hearing about in Buddhism? Does this mean complete obliteration into a black hole, or nihilism? Well, it can't be! The Buddha was the best dualist AND non-dualist simultaneously. He taught the Middle Way between eternalism: a complete and unchanging entity -- and nihilism: a complete nothingness void of any meaning. So, what does his teaching on not-self really mean, and how can we compare this with ancient Vedantic teachings? The answer is str...
