Grief literary advocate Stephen Jenkinson connects with Raghu for a thought-provoking conversation on palliative care and dying wise.In this episode, Stephen Jenkinson and Raghu Markus peruse:The importance of storytelling and the human voiceFinding an alternative outlet for divinityExistential fear and dying wiseMoral and ethical dilemmas within the healthcare systemWhat constitutes care and the many gaps in medical practice wisdomMedical assistance in dying to relieve sufferingWhy limits and endings give life meaningThe wisdom and belonging of sadnessBargaining for more time instead of examining the quality of timeA better way to relate to the transition of life into deathThe idea of being ‘too late’ and the consequences of our perceptionsHope as a mortgage on life and the certainties we falsely rely onDeath as a deity that we should accommodateTwo cultural icons. Two unique perspectives... One understanding of the presence of the way.Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and the Alan Watts 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"“I think if we cultivated a capacity to be sad we would make enormous headroads into our propensity for fear. I think sadness is an absolutely compelling and legitimate alternative but it needs at least as much tuition as fear does. You have to learn to be afraid, obviously, and you have to learn sadness as well.” – Stephen JenkinsonAbout Stephen Jenkinson:Stephen Jenkinson is a cultural activist, international teacher, and author. He is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School and has Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work). Apprenticed to a master storyteller when a young man, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families. He is the former program director in a major Canadian hospital and former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school. Stephen is also a sculptor and traditional canoe builder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Facing the truth of death, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus delve into compassion, surrender, and self-less love.This time on mindrolling, Roshi Joan Halifax and Raghu Markus ponder:Soul and the Depth of CharacterRoshi Joan’s relationship with Ram DassKindness and Love across all spiritual traditionsTransforming from the we to the meHolding a loving space in the face of deathFundamental impermanence as an ultimate truthA.I., predictive responses, and a pseudo-realitySurrender, Joy, and starting practices early in lifeAwareness of one’s motivations and self-interestsRam Dass and opening up the path of loveA Buddhist story on facing the truth of old age, sickness and deathAcknowledging the past and honoring our ancestors“All of us little human beings, we grip onto this small-self identity that gives us a sense of security, but all of that will be let go of as we meet death and certainly if we let go into authentic love.” – Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.Are you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:Hawaii Community FoundationCanadian Red CrossLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Check out Roshi Joan Halifax’s new contemplative card deckTo further the discussion on death and mindfulness, pick up a copy of Roshi Joan Halifax’s book, Being with DyingLearn more about joining The Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at the Upaya Zen CenterAbout Roshi Joan Halifax:Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. is a Buddhist teacher, Founder and Head Teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a social activist, author, and in her early years was an anthropologist at Columbia University (1964-68) and University of Miami School of Medicine (1970-72). She is a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. She has lectured on the subject of death and dying at many academic institutions and medical centers around the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learning how to love our enemies and surpass hatred, Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman, and Raghu Markus talk about doing the work required to transform our lives and bring love into the world.“It’s out of compassion for ourselves in a way that we think, ‘what would it be not to just have this habitual relationship to anger, like it’s the only source of strength? Can I actually explore the domains of love and compassion as a source of strength?’.” – Sharon SalzbergIn this episode, we hear Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman and Raghu Markus discuss:Memories of Maui and prayers for LahainaLoving our Enemies no matter what they may doSelf-love and the instinct to obliterate the selfRemodeling our concept of love to be more empoweringCreating more harmony in our livesHaving motives to practiceWhy we should relish in the opportunity to be around our enemiesThe antidote to fearGiving in versus not being controlled/obsessed with the actions of othersThe self-destruction of hatred and internalizing our enemiesTough love and fierce compassionBuddha and teachings on loveInsightful Patience and redeeming wordsNeem Karoli Baba and the power behind loveAre you interested in contributing to the wildfire recovery efforts in Maui and in the most impacted areas of Canada? Check out these resources below to find out how you can help:Hawaii Community FoundationCanadian Red CrossLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Love Your Enemies 10th Anniversary Re-Release from Sharon and RobertAbout Robert Thurman:Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. His new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, is now available.“Hatred particularly seems to give someone who feels frightened and in a weak position, seems to give them the illusion of being stronger in the position by being enraged…it is actually like an addiction; it pretends to make better, but it actually ruins you.” – Robert ThurmanAbout 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 forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. 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 pre-order her new book at www.sharonsalzberg.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Austin joins Gagan (Jared) Levy and Raghu Markus in a discussion about the origins of psychedelics in Western culture.Together, they delve into the third wave of psychedelics and explore methods to enhance their effects through practices like microdosing and spirituality. In this episode , Paul Austin, Gagan (Jared) Levy, and Raghu explore:Paul Austin’s Calvinistic upbringingCannabis, rebellion, and having awe-inspiring experiences with psychedelicsMoving from atheism to spiritualityPsychedelic literacy and paradigm shiftsHeroic ingestion of hallucinogens versus microdosingHaving the right set and setting when using psychedelicsPropaganda and the western lineage with plant medicineThe Eleusinian MysteriesLSD and the cultural context of the 1960’sThe internet and computers as a result of psychedelicsIndigenous roots and a remembrance of the primal selfTrip-sitting and being a guide through the psychedelic experienceIntention & presence as a critical part of microdosingThe necessary spiritual practices for psychedelic integrationAbout Paul Austin:Paul Austin, the founder of Third Wave, is an entrepreneur, author, and coach, who sees psychedelic use as a skill, cultivated through clear intention, supportive mentorship, and courageous exploration. Mastering this skill is crucial in the story of humanity’s present-future evolution. Read more about the third wave of psychedelics on Thirdwave.co and keep up with Paul on Instagram.“If there was one thing I could focus on, it would be psychedelic literacy. If we could pull one lever that would help us to address and adapt to our current context and situation, it would be amplifying the power of psychedelics to not only heal but transform our relationship with our environment. And in that help us to create a new paradigm then instead of being rooted in separation, instead it is rooted in interconnectedness.” – Paul AustinAbout Gagan (Jared) Levy:As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the country’s most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, he leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just and prosperous for all. As 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. “We live in that age where there is that performance enhancement side of microdosing and there’s kind of that cumulative effect of healing past trauma, but then there’s this other part of psychedelics - which is the divine.” – Gagan (Jared) LevySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, contemplative scientist Cortland Dahl and Raghu Markus discuss the Tibetan Buddhist perspective of a healthy mind and how to transition from rumination to exploration.In this conversation, Cortland Dahl and Raghu chat about:Cortland Dahl’s journey to mindfulness practiceYongey Mingyur Rinpoche and loving the worldBeing Human, meditation, and coping with anxietyEmbracing and Exploring the nature of our mindsLanguage Immersion and translating Tibetan textsThe story of Asanga and the Buddha NatureTransformation through compassionate actionWise-selfishness and looking at our motivationsTurning the narrative mind into a new directionGamma Oscillations and the ‘aha’ momentThe practice of non-referential compassionIntersections between science and mindfulnessLinks & Recommendations From this Episode:Raghu and Cortland talk about the book: In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur RinpocheLearn more about Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on Tergar.orgCheck out The Center for Healthy Minds and discover the fusion of science and mindfulnessDownload the Healthy Minds app for a guide to well-beingWhy We Meditate by Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi RinpocheAbout Cortland Dahl:Cortland is interested in exploring the interface between the body, mind and brain, and especially in the question of how various forms of meditation may help us cultivate positive qualities like mindfulness, compassion and resilience. His current work focuses on studying the psychological and neural mechanisms of different families of meditation practice. He is also the creator of the Healthy Minds program, a well-being training program that integrates insights from scientific research with a comprehensive path of contemplative training.Cortland has an eclectic background and has spent years studying and practicing meditation in Asia, including eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in India and Nepal. He has published numerous collections of translations of classic works on meditation and Buddhist philosophy from the Tibetan tradition. In addition to his work with the Center, Cortland is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tergar International, a global network of meditation groups and centers.Learn more at hminnovations.org“Instead of ruminating about our stressful day, we’re exploring the dynamics of our inner experience; and we just start to discover things the were always there, but we just hadn’t seen. The narrative and the conditioning just hadn’t been directed in that way.” – Cortland DahlSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.