Mindrolling With Raghu Markus

Raghu chats with author Nancy Colier about balancing spiritual practice and our ever increasing use of technology. Nancy Colier is a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, author, mindfulness teacher and public speaker. She is also a longtime student and practitioner of Eastern spirituality. Raghu speaks with Nancy about breaking our technology addiction and how we might use technology for the tools that they are.

Mindrolling co-host, David Silver, returns to talk about the American presidential inauguration and the inner excavation that can be done to stop the polarization that separates us from one another.  David takes a break from working on his book to catch up with Raghu and the Mindrolling community. They talk about their reaction to Trump, polarization, fear, and how practice allows for an inner excavation of what separates us from each other and ourselves.

Lama Tsultrim Allione returns to Mindrolling. She and Raghu talk about transforming anger, devotion, and the teaching of One Ground, Two Paths, Two Results.   Tsultrim discusses our potential to redirect negative emotions in a positive and productive way. She and Raghu talk about her article, "One Ground, Two Paths, Two Results," which teaches us to recognize the path that leads away from our true nature and the path that leads back to it.

Sharon Salzberg and Danny Goldberg join Raghu for a special conversation about our foreboding political climate and better ways to approach it through practice.   In times like this, of fear and polarization, it is important to find balance and approach others with loving-kindness. The group inspires us not to despair by remembering that even though the past and future are full of darkness, love is beyond time and will carry us through.

Author and speaker Rob Bell joins Mindrolling to talk about his new book and how he helps others live life with a deeper level of appreciation and love for each other. Rob Bell is a pastor and New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins, What We Talk About When We Talk about God, The Zimzum of Love and his most recent book How To Be Here. He and Raghu discuss their common practices, barrier dissolving experiences, and how applying practice can help us overcome our greatest challenges.

Chris "Bash" Bashinelli joins Raghu to discuss his inspirational documentary series and how it as informed his inner journey.  Bash gave up an acting career to exchange with the world and fulfill a higher calling. His documentaries give a personal perspective of what life is like in other cultures, highlighting the similarities we share with them despite all the differences. Bash empowers each of us to become GLOBAL CITIZENS, productive members of our organization, our family, and ultimately- the world!

Mindrolling Podcast welcomes world-renown spiritual teacher, Mooji.   Mooji provides a unique and refreshing perspective on what it means to be on the spiritual path. He and Raghu discuss the non-dualism, free-will, and the pitfalls of self.   "Anyone whose mind is in the heart has inherited a tremendous space. It is like the whole universe becomes yours." - Mooji

Raghu brings Jared Levy and Martin Winiecki on the show to talk about the Tamera community and the book that it inspired, Terra Nova. Jared Levy returns to Mindrolling to introduce Martin and talk about the important work being done at Tamera. Martin is a core team member of the Tamera Biotope in Portugal, where he is Coordinator of the Terra Nova School and the Political Department. The two discuss the impactful research done at Tamera as well as the hope it holds for our future.

This week, on Mindrolling, Nick J. Polizzi joins Raghu to discuss Nick's inspiring documentary on Shamanic medicine and what it has to offer the West. The documentary, Sacred Science, brings together eight patients whose illnesses Western medicine could not cure. Nick and Raghu talk about the movie, the medicine, and the future of this practice which has so much to offer the world.

Mindrolling co-founder David Silver returns to talk about what he has been up to, the ominous state of the world, and the moving power of devotion. Raghu and David read from an article written by a Buddhist Rinpoche who addresses the role of emotion and devotion in Tibetian Buddhism. Find out how one of the greatest Boddhisatvas of our time was brought to tears and what his depth of heart has to teach us. There may be no crying in baseball, but on this episode of Mindrolling Raghu and David show how off base that sentiment really is.  

Raghu is joined once again by musician, author, and teacher, David Nichtern. David chats with Raghu about his new book, “Awakening from the Daydream,” which reimagines the ancient Buddhist parables of the Wheel of Life and Samsara. David describes a few of the realms of Samsara and where we see them playing out in our world today. He also gives us practices to overcome these obstacles to our inner balance. This conversation about Buddhism is not one to be missed. Everyone can learn something, as David relates the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in a way that is accessible to anyone. “In each of these realms, the peace that you are talking about has been mistaken. You think the peace is, ‘ If I keep competing and keep getting to the top, then I will have peace.’ In The Hungry Ghost realm,’ If I keep consuming if I keep craving things that act will bring me peace.’ But it is exactly that act which keeps you from having peace.” – David Nichtern,Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha’s Wheel of

On this week's episode of Mindrolling, Raghu sits down with Bioneers co-founder, Kenny Ausubel. They discuss the role of Bioneers and how it is bringing innovative thinkers together to create radical social and environmental change. Kenny explores the interconnectedness of all things and what can be done to strike a balance between nature and humanity.   "Before we think that we can change anything, we are going to have to change our own hearts." - Ram Dass   More About Bioneers Bioneers was founded in 1990 in Santa Fe, New Mexico by social entrepreneurs Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons. Bioneers advances the great transformation underway in human civilization by serving as a seed head for game-changing social and scientific vision, knowledge and practices that honor the genius of nature and human ingenuity. Bioneers does so through their annual National Bioneers Conference, award-winning media, local conferences and community resilience networks, and leadership training programs focused on youth, women, and Ind

On this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu finally gets the opportunity to bring an old friend, Dr. Larry Brilliant, on the show. Larry Brilliant is a remarkable individual with an incredible story. Larry shares with us highlights from his life of service to others. Through Maharaji, Larry discovered his true love for everyone and was led to help eradicate smallpox from India and the world. "Love Everyone, Serve Everyone, Feed People, Remember God." - Maharaji

An old friend of the show, Dr. Judith Orloff, returns to have a conversation with Raghu about empathy and sensitivity. We are given a compelling look at the life of an empath and how one might stay spiritually open while protecting themselves from being overwhelmed by what they let in. Judith is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, practicing Psychiatrist, and best-selling New York Times author. Her unique approach marries traditional psychiatric practices, intuition, spirituality, and energy medicine, unlike any other practitioner. "People who are sensitive in life may suffer much more than those who are insensitive. But, if they understand and go beyond their suffering, they will discover extraordinary things." - Jiddu Krishnamurti

Our podcast guru, Duncan Trussell, introduces Raghu to writer and producer Dan Harmon. Dan is known for his cutting humor and honest introspection. Our trio sits down in Dan’s studio for a conversation about work, introspection, and finding happiness.Coming from a background of not making enough money and working undesirable jobs, Dan tries to find balance with his life and workload now that everyone wants to hire him for something.  Dan shares his recent struggle of being aware of, and respecting, the feelings and experience of his employees. The group discusses mindfulness and being aware of the destructive patterns that play out in our lives. Tune in for all this and more on this week’s unique episode of the Mindrolling Podcast with Dan Harmon!Show Notes07:30 – Dan talks a bit about his relationship with work and his “workaholism”. It can be hard to turn away any creative work away when you remember what it’s like not having any. 12:30 – The group discusses the idea of mindfulness and finding satisfaction

South African shaman John Lockley returns! In this episode, John brings us stories from the bush and tales of the inner landscape. “Radical mindfulness is radical listening. Without judgment, without ego, just listen.” – John Lockley Raghu and John talk about the self, the spirit world, and the interconnectedness of mystical traditions. What is in a name? How does a shaman practice mindfulness? Find out on this episode of the Mindrolling Podcast. “We must dream the impossible. Seek the beauty of sharing wisdom through the cracks of our longing. Usher into reality the possibility of a world village glued together by a concert of wisdom.” – Malidoma Somé   John Lockley is a fully initiated sangoma (healer and shaman) in the Xhosa lineage of South Africa, having spent 10 years in an apprenticeship with the tribe that gave us Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. His remarkable journey through the constraints of Apartheid is a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. For more

Raghu talks with Be Here Now Network staffers, JR Morton and Corey Leonard, about being mindful in the era of smartphones. They discuss the pros and cons of a device that gives us access to so much but is changing how we interact and how our brains function. Smartphones are pulling us away from ourselves at an alarming rate. What can we do to mitigate their downsides and use them for the tools they are meant to be?

While in L.A., Raghu drops by for a chat with a newly made friend, comedian Natasha Leggero. They talk about what led Natasha on a path of self-inquiry. How Ram Dass has played an important role in her life and career. Natasha talks about how inspirational relationships and self-work have brought her a life she couldn’t have imagined as a struggling comedian. Raghu touches on the topics of shakti, mantra, and “drugs”. 

Raghu gets the opportunity to chat with new found friend Vincent Horn, host of the Buddhist Geeks podcast. They discuss the interplay of technology and spiritual experience. In what ways do the internet, smartphones, and emerging technologies affect our spiritual practice and how can we utilize them to their greatest potential?   Vincent founded his podcast "Buddhist Geeks" and website "Meditate.IO" with the philosophy of taking a fresh approach to old practices. He and Raghu talk about this philosophy and what role they think technology and the internet have in the practice of spirituality. What are the potentials of our newfound interconnectivity via the internet and smartphones? How can they be used to foster a network of awakened individuals as opposed to separating and polarizing us? Listen as Vincent tells his vision of our "technodelic" future. Using technology as a teaching tool to bring us into altered states of consciousness and awareness.

Mindfulness and approaching it from as many practical approaches as possible. In this latest episode, Raghu and Ramesh look at: What does mindfulness really mean? What kind of perspective you can have about it that can change your life, the different practices of it that people can do on a day to day basis without joining anything, you can sit there and work with your breath, so you can bring awareness and the witness into your life so you can see your motivations and have a curiosity on who you really are. Bringing mindfulness into your life so you can just relax into a moment where you’re not judging yourself and can just be. In a world that asks us to be constantly multi-tasking, how do we curb the monkey mind? Ramesh and Raghu explore a variety of practices and perspectives that help to cultivate a less discursive mind. Such as the breath, which brings all your life systems to one place and is critical to focusing. Or Vipassana, also known as Insight Meditation, is a meditation that helps develop concentr