Exploring the Jewish psychedelic underground, Madison Margolin joins Raghu to talk about Ram Dass, psychedelics and her new book, Exile and Ecstasy. Get your copy of Exile and Ecstasy HERE In this episode, Raghu and Madison have an expansive discussion about: Madison’s upbringing in the Ram Dass community Influences of psychedelic culture and eastern mysticism Madison’s intrinsic connection to her Jewish roots ‘Hinjewism’ and honoring multiple traditions at once The ways that Madison struggled w...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 527
Raghu Markus and Duncan Trussell share the story behind their new book , The Movie of Me to the Movie of We. Snag your copy of The Movie of Me to The Movie of We This week on Mindrolling, listen to Raghu and Duncan chat about: Spiritual emaciation in a world of excess The meaning of ‘the movie of me’ Pyromania within humanitarianism Reflecting on caricatures of the self for brutal self-honesty Meditation and experiencing our true selves Our inheritance of being human Spiritual community and movi...
Jan 25, 2024•36 min•Ep. 526
In a discussion on Buddhism and wellness, author George Pitagorsky joins Raghu to explore his new book, The Peaceful Warrior’s Path. Get your copy of George’s book HERE In this episode, Raghu and George explore: George’s history with yoga and meditation The clear canon of Buddhism and Non-dualism Compassion beyond the ego The continuous dance between the relative and the absolute Cultivating patience Creating new patterns to replace our habits Hope in neuroplasticity and changing behaviors What ...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 525
Focusing on the climate crisis, Author Susan Murphy joins Raghu to talk about her new book, A Fire Runs Through All Things . Susan Murphy and Raghu discuss: Susan’s background and growing up in touch with the earth Applying the fierce love and protection of parenthood to the earth Susan’s journey through meditation to zen practice The realities of the climate crisis and forest fires Our tendency to ignore and reject discomfort Lessons from indigenous elders A mindfulness practice to connect with...
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 524
Wrapping up 2023, Thanissara and Raghu discuss how we can use mindfulness to relate to and make sense of the times we are living in. Thanissara and Raghu examine these topics: The depth of the illusions we have built our civilization on The shifts that need to happen to enable us to live sustainably Political positioning and moral stances Becoming desensitized to the chaos and pain of the world Taking social action to create a better future for the next generation How mindfulness can be a huge p...
Jan 05, 2024•56 min•Ep. 523
Author and spiritual teacher, Hameed Ali, joins Raghu to discuss seeking truth and the boundlessness of our inner consciousness. Raghu and Hameed discuss: How an accident and out of body experience inspired Hameed’s Diamond Approach Hameed’s move from science to spirituality Basic trust being the fundamental platform for people to go inside of themselves Working with others on trust The boundless dimensions of our inner consciousness Soul as the one who experiences The meaning of non-dual divine...
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 522
Coming together at the 2023 Love and Renewal Retreat, Raghu Markus, Jack Kornfield, Duncan Trussell, and Krishna Das discuss alleviating suffering and finding grace. In this recording from the 2023 Love & Renewal retreat, Raghu, Jack and Duncan, and Krishna Das come together to discuss: Samsara and returning home to family Working with cynicism How depression blocks us into one side of a story Humor as a coping mechanism Personal and collective responsibility The Bodhisattva vow Exploring ou...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 521
Raghu and his son Noah talk with Joseph Goldstein about the necessity of embracing suffering in order to activate compassion. Raghu, Joseph, and Noah explore these topics: Empathy and compassion for global suffering Fixing your own heart in order to offer compassion to others Lessons from Tsoknyi Rinpoche on “California Compassion” Checking in with our motivations and intentions The tendency to avoid suffering How a willingness to look at suffering is a precursor to compassion Renunciation and t...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 520
Reflecting on memories with Ram Dass, musician David Block joins Raghu to talk about interconnectivity, generosity, and The Great Way. David's single “The Great Way” featuring Ram Dass is AVAILABLE NOW: Click To Listen In this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast, Raghu Markus and David Block discuss: Music and mantras The transactional nature of the world and noticing our interconnection David’s relationship with Ram Dass Serving others instead of self-obsession David’s process of creating a trac...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 519
Duncan Trussell returns to Mindrolling to talk about transporting oneself out of the movie of me and into the movie of we. This week on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Duncan Trussell get into: Writing, producing, directing, and acting in the movie of our own lives Being born again Sitting around the fire as a metaphor for deep connection Honesty and being ‘a fake’ Transactional relationships and holding emotional debt against people The fraudulent activities of the Ego Gratitude giving birth to p...
Nov 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 518
Mindfulness teacher Oren Jay Sofer sits with Raghu to discuss keeping our hearts open through difficult times. In this episode, Raghu Markus and Oren Jay Sofer talk about: Oren’s path to mindfulness The influence of Vipassana Meditation How mindfulness can be a resource to navigate the horrors of global conflict Expanding the capacity of our hearts The potential that human beings have to move beyond ourselves The challenges we are currently faces as a species Compassion and the route to a better...
Nov 20, 2023•59 min•Ep. 517
Pairing science and mysticism, Astrobiologist Dr. Bruce Damer visits Mindrolling for a sweeping discussion on the interconnected nature of the world. This week on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Dr. Bruce Damer dig into: Interconnected fields within nature Group connection and relationship Patterned memory in space Ancestral memories, spirit, and the research of phenomena Becoming the experience and playing with thought experiments Albert Einstein and scientific mysticism Collective intelligence a...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 516
Philanthropist Jeff Walker meets with Raghu Markus to discuss the emerging knowledge of psychedelics and energy work in the healthcare field. In this episode, Jeff and Raghu traverse these topics: Jeff’s journey from the financial world into mindfulness practice Applying mindfulness and spirituality to the business world The efficacy of meditation as a healing practice Psychedelic therapies from the 70’s to the modern age Music and flow states Community and the ‘we’ instead of the ‘me’ Subtle en...
Nov 03, 2023•58 min•Ep. 515
David Silver returns to the Mindrolling Podcast for a conversation on the four Yugas. This week on Mindrolling, David and Raghu look into: The four Hindu Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapara, Kali) How consciousness changes with the Yugas and vice versa Our current place in the Kali Yuga The White Buffalo Vision and similarities between religions The way our actions can manifest in the Yugas The four worlds spoken of by the Hopi The world events within this age of darkness Grief for the Israeli-Hamas co...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 514
Mindfully infused with various Buddhist skills, this episode features a dialogue between Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Raghu Markus on the many opportunities for practice in our daily lives. This time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Tenzin Palmo explore: Tenzin Palmo’s earliest experiences of connecting to The Buddha The imminence of death Tenzin’s Book, Reflections on a Mountain Lake What perfection is and how we can realize it Tenzin’s journey to the guru in India Women on the path of Buddhism Th...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 513
In an expansive discussion around Steve Kanji Ruhl’s book, Appalachian Zen, Steve and Raghu explore finding equilibrium through zen practice. “In Buddhism, the true home is that place within each of us, it’s an inner heartland. We can call it original Buddha Nature; it is accessible to all of us anytime and any place. It’s really a matter of finding this inner equilibrium and being in this moment, in this place, and being fully alive.” – Steve Kanji Ruhl In this episode, Raghu Markus and Steve K...
Oct 12, 2023•53 min•Ep. 512
Bringing indigenous wisdom into modernity, Italian writer Danielle Bolelli joins Raghu to talk about quality and restoring balance with the natural world. “We need that wisdom, indigenous wisdom. We need to bring back something that we have lost from our move into the industrialized last couple of centuries.” – Raghu Markus This time on Mindrolling, Raghu Markus and Daniele Bolelli converse about: Wisdom from Native American elders The balance with nature Money and power struggles Capitalism, Ma...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 511
Diving into treasured memories, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Krishna Das, and Raghu Markus explore the ways that the guru can move through a family. 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 episode from The 2023 Summer Mountain Retreat, Raghu...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 510
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 abo...
Sep 22, 2023•56 min•Ep. 509
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 voice Finding an alternative outlet for divinity Existential fear and dying wise Moral and ethical dilemmas within the healthcare system What constitutes care and the many gaps in medical practice wisdom Medical assistance in dying to relieve suffering Why limi...
Sep 15, 2023•58 min•Ep. 508
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 Character Roshi Joan’s relationship with Ram Dass Kindness and Love across all spiritual traditions Transforming from the we to the me Holding a loving space in the face of death Fundamental impermanence as an ultimate truth A.I., predictive responses, and a pseudo-reality Surrender, Joy, a...
Sep 08, 2023•50 min•Ep. 507
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 Salzberg In this episode, we hear Sharon...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 506
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 upbringing Cannabis, rebellion, and having awe-inspiring experiences with psychedelics Moving from atheism to spirituality Ps...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 505
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 practice Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and loving the world Being Human, meditation, and coping with anxiety Embracing and Exploring the nature of our minds Language Immersion and translating Tibetan tex...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 504
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 things ...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 503
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. Carol Sanford has been an inspirational catalyst and guide, helping change agents and businesses around the world realize their aspirations to make a difference. Now she needs our help! Last fall, Carol learned that the cause of a suite of mysterious symptoms she’d been dealing wi...
Aug 04, 2023•56 min•Ep. 502
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 Mirror Andy’s connection to Ram Dass, Buddhism and his study under Chögyam Trungpa ‘Crazy wisdom’ and the teachings of Chögya...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 501
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 ans...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 500
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 perception How plant medicine is used in the Xhosa tradition Shamanism as a path for exploring the ineffable experiences had through inner work a...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 499
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 feeling Check out Enlightenment Is an Accident here Explore Suzuki Roshi’s b...
Jul 06, 2023•58 min•Ep. 498
