Curious Bodhi
By Alba
Curious BodhiMay 20, 2020
83 - Bhakti Revival in Portugal and Around the World!
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!
82 - Is Consciousness Infinite? Do We Really have any Limitations?: With Rodrigo Jacinto
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 capitalism or communism) and believe that we are separate egos instead of the sea of love and bliss that we are.
Because we are individuals, which is the beauty of life and of nature, this indivi-duality creates an unlimited scope for unlimited possibilities. If this is so, then we can go on to transcend our current limitations and become the all. Shakyamuni Buddha experienced this infinity during his enlightenment. Call it Moksha, or Mukti, or Nirvana, or Awakening -- yet it is the same.
We talk Siddhis. We talk culture. We talk consciousness. And we talk our amazing human nature.
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Enjoy, and email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com
81 - Get Your Life-Force Back!
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 such as getting out of the city or learning the needs of our spouse or child. In fact, I went through this myself -- for 7 years, I sacrificed nearly 100% of my life-force energy, though unknowingly, for a job I didn't enjoy in a large city (that is, London, England) with no free time to expand my consciousness or awareness. Through moving to Portugal and throwing away the keys to my old lifestyle, I am growing and expanding, because each day is precious: I now have time for nature, to enjoy the sunshine, to spend quality time with my family and friends, say hello to my community on my daily runs, to contemplate, dance, garden, paint, and worship the divine through both Kirtan and Sadhana (prayer). If your heart is calling you this way, I encourage you to follow your intuition so your energy becomes "unstuck" and you can again grow. Blessings, healing, and prayers for you, friends. Namaste! Email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com and visit www.curiousbodhipodcast.com. **Please look into: Samaneri Jayasara, Lama Surya Das, and Dharma Bytes Podcast for the awareness meditations mentioned in this episode.
80 - Most Important Spiritual Lesson of 2020: Dharma Friends!
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!
79 - Is Buddhism a Revolutionary Force?: An Interview with Nick Lee and Jared Benson of the Revolution and Ideology Podcast
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 year now, we have a vital window of opportunity to harness the collapsing social, economic, political, and personal structures that have kept our minds and hearts encapsulated for too long. What type of world do we want to see in our not-so-distant future? Do we want to live from a place of truth, serenity, and harmony with each other and all other species and beings that inhabit this biosphere with us -- and beyond? Let's explore. Tell me what you think at curiousbodhi@zoho.com. Visit Nick and Jared at www.revolutionandideology.com and visit their Youtube channel for current episodes!
78 - Compassion and the Actual Meaning of Life
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!
77 - Greatest Awakening Teachers in 2020: Sri Acharya, Shunyamurti, and Leo Gura of Actualized.org
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 of the Golden Age we could now be entering, due to the pandemic and its cosmic influences on our planet. Email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com. See you next week, lovely fellow Human Beings!
76 - Trusting the Vedas & Dharma Vs Scientific Materialist-Rationalism
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 presented, along with multiple philosophical and epistemological debates that really can be elaborated upon for eternity. I encourage you to reflect and use your own creative imagination and justification to form your own ideas, here. I thank Dr. Robert AV Thurman for his talk: The Tibetan Path of Enlightenment; Sri Acharya for: Hierarchy, Dharma, and Modernity; and Leo Gura for his work on: Spiral Dynamics.
75 - Clarity within Buddhism and Humanism: Interview with Rodrigo Jacinto
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 utterly changed when a motorcycle accident nearly took his life in his early 20s, and it rearranged his mind to contain what is important: happiness, friends, family, flow, and taking every moment with a smile. Join us in this uplifting conversation, and don't forget to email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with any questions or just to say hello. Om, Namaste, Hare Krishna, and may all be happy and peaceful!
74 - Freedom in Our Post-Corona World: A Roundtable Discussion
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' consciousness for our futures. I strongly encourage critical thinking and an open mind as we dive into this discussion. We talk technology, education, a little bit of politics, and what happiness means to all of us. Please email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with comments or questions! Namaste!
73 - Premonitions, Dreams, and "Material Spirituality"
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 like "a bubble, a dream", and he got into the fact that if we can wake up from our night-time dreams, then we can also wake up from our much longer daytime dream called "ME" and "my life". If you have anything to share, please email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com!
72 - Uncomplicated Buddha Dhamma: Fundamental Teachings Across Paths
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; critical thinking and analysis by trial and error, as instructed by the Buddha; and meditation and obtaining "loss" of average sense perception and self-image. Please consider supporting our show on www.curiousbodhipodcast.com/services-donations/.
71 - Auspicious Dreams: Can You Help Me Decode?
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!
70 - The Virus & the Vaccine Will NOT Take Our Freedom and Humanity Away!
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 verification and its relation to the over-reaction of governments and authoratative bodies, who are actively killing world economies. We also talk about Bill Gates and forced vaccination, the "Test, Track, and Trace" app experiment put forth currently by the UK, and how the pieces of the puzzle fit together with plans for a less human world where digital economies and AI will become normal, if we don't STAND UP FOR OUR HUMAN DIGNITY AND LIBERTY NOW!
Please research these professionals - if their Youtube channels are deleted, then find their independent platforms:
Dr. Andrew Kaufman
Dr. Rashid Buttar
Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai
David Icke
Brian Rose of London Real
Valuetainment with Patrick Bet-David
69 - "The Universe Is Saying I Love You"
Good morning! A simple message about love and what you are.
68 - Building an Off-grid Eco Home (The Bare Minimum of Technicalities), Part 2
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, joining the walls, sealing the screws, what to do about windows and doors, applying a mist coat of paint, laying concrete under each container for support, and more. These details are the bare minimum to get you started, so please ask questions! As promised, the best oil-based, rust-proof, industrial-grade paint we have found for the outside of our containers to protect against the weather is called: "Titan Industrial: 815 Esmalte Antioxidante, Rust Preventive Enamel, 8150599 Tinting Base White" with its partner dilutent: "Titan Industrial: Diluyente 872, 8720003". Please ask for any other brands of materials used! Email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com
67 - Buddhist Science: The Ultimate Theory of Relativity
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 mainly explores material objects and projections. I start with the question, "Does time have an end?" - a very interesting philosophical and practical inquiry - and we go from there... Thank you to Bob Thurman of the Bob Thurman Podcast, and friend of the Dalai Lama at Tibet House US, for your guidance on the Buddha's theory of ultimate relativity! Email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com.
66 - Coronavirus / Covid-19 Outbreak: Tough Questions on Society and Hope for our Spiritual Lives
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 we can't control our own food or medical choices anymore? Already, the UK has deployed the military to step into supermarkets; Spain is giving out fines for simply running or bicycling on the street; and airports are considering "forcibly quarantining people who may carry the virus" as a travel norm. What will this do to our freedom of movement? And most importantly: what can we do during this time instead of panic or experience fear and dread? If Buddhists express one thing clearly, it's that we need to look within and self-reflect rather than being constantly enamored with the material world. This is a great opportunity to explore ourselves: clearly, as the majority, we can take the situation into our own hands using our human spirit. It is crucial that we use our critical minds at this stage instead of being overtaken by survival mode or over-reacting.
65 - Spirituality: A Message of Hope for your Practice!
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 individual, so the matter of expression is inconsequential; if you want to practice Bhakti and dance, then dance! If you want to obtain through knowledge, then Jnana is the way! If you want to sit and meditate, then meditate. If you want to experiment with entheogens, then go for it. There are 84,000 doors to the Dhamma, remember. Which way you choose is up to you. The spiritual life is truly all-inclusive!
64 - Overcoming Addiction through Buddha Dhamma: Interview with Vince Cullen
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 monestary in Thailand at a detox retreat and took a vow never to take intoxicants again. He is now a charter member of the Buddhist Recovery Network, facilitates Hungry Ghost Retreats, and has held Sangha sit-and-share meetings in England, Scotland, Ireland, India, Nepal, Thailand, and the USA. If you are struggling with addiction and want help, Vince is able to travel anywhere in the world to come teach and see you. Just visit his website www.hungryghostretreats.org under the "Invitations to Teach" section. Namaste and Om!
63 - Reawakening Satsang: for Spiritual Empowerment
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.
62 - Five Minute Reawakening Meditation
Relax into this comforting reawakening meditation for your spiritual empowerment.
61 - Transcending Illusion in the Kali Yuga: Interview with Sri Acharya
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 planet Earth actually is and whether Earth exists as a product of our own minds or is its own entity. Ending on one of the most significant question, Sri Acharya defines the evasive term "ego" that we hear all over Vedantic and Buddhist circles. Please see our video interview on Sri Acharya's Youtube channel: Dharma Nation.
60 - Endurance Running & Spirituality
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 out on the trails or even lifting twice your body weight, are: Vows, Limits, and Focus, which I explain further. I also give interesting tips for new and seasoned runners. The possibilities for human beings do not rely on dry information, but we have to physically experiment and then meet the incoming challenges head on. In our spiritual life, we may meet our anxiety and fear seriously for the first time, and the same goes for meeting our limits by participating in endurance sports. Enjoy our episode, and don't forget to email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com.
59 - Vedic Dharma vs. Buddhist Dhamma (And More Buddha-Talk)
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, the Dharma-code is possible to break. For example, if a woman who knows she should have children refuses to have children, then she is breaking the Dharma. It got so bad at one point in history that Lord Krishna had to come back to earth just to restore Dharma, because the world was so terribly out of order... and this is the Bhagavad Gita. When the Buddha came along, he too uses a similar word: Dhamma (Pali). This is exactly the same Cosmic Law, but it cannot be broken by anything. For example, beings who are professional criminals or people with little interest in morality cannot not follow the Cosmic Law; it is still functioning whether they like it or not. After all, gravity keeps us tethered to the earth whether we like it or not! However, that does not mean there are no repercussions in the Cosmic Order. In the Dhamma, the depiction of Bhavacakra / Wheel of Life and Death, demonstrates how beings are reborn for their actions - endlessly and timelessly - until they become enlightened. So the Buddha takes a broader approach and simply holds out his palms and says: "Friends, from my own direct experience, I have found the way to fall seamlessly into the Cosmic Law, and here are some tools and teachings to help you get there swiftly and easily... without being reborn so many times!"
58 - Upajjhatthana Sutta: Subjects for Contemplation
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 practice. - Tipitaka: Anguttara Nikaya: AN 5.57
57 - Being a Buddha and Loving Your Enemy
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 is nothing else! This is all you. Reality shows itself to us through 7 billion different minds, and when we find out that this is only relative (duality) but that all duality is actually empty (shunyata / non-duality), then we come to inhabit our whole being; our true nature. Oh yes, and being a Buddha also means "loving your enemy" -- exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Join me, and don't forget to email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com.
56 - On Awakening & Poverty, Buddha-Dharma, and The Body: Reverse Interview with Anna Zambreny
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, and emotional trauma. Have a listen and please email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with your questions or your messages. I read them all!
55 - How to Build an Off-grid Eco-home: part 1
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 magic of buckets, how time is different and managing expectations, and how-in-the-hell this connects with the Dharma! In part 2, we will talk about more progress on building and innovations, our new solar panel system, and possibly what we intend to do about making money. Because I'm not officially working... but it would be cool to be a mendicant, where people feed you because they respect "the person searching for enlightenment"... otherwise known as "professional unemployment". Namaste.
54 - Understanding "Not-self" in Buddhism
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 stranger than you might think... please leave a message at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with comments or questions, and I will answer them on our next show. Bless you. Namaste.
53 - Guided Vajrayana Medicine Buddha Meditation
This is a meditation on our friend, the Medicine Buddha. Let this meditation stream on, and finish when you are ready. After this, you will feel more positive and relaxed about yourself and the world we inhabit. Om. Enjoy!
52 - Dharma Doors: Is Dharma the Best Path?
This talk gives a taste of the reasons why Dharma is "a best path" - for those who truly desire to learn on their way to enlightenment. Dharma is for absolutely every human being on the planet, as we all have the common denominator: Consciousness. The question is: Do you want to make the effort from your own initiative? Please visit patreon.com/curiousbodhi/ to help us continue our show!
51 - The Dharma of Death
This Dharma talk focuses on death -- how death can become a great motivator to see our lives in a larger context. This can reduce fear, anxiety, depression, and mental fog. We are much larger than we think we are! Drop me a line at curiousbodhi@zoho.com with comments on this episode and please consider supporting on Patreon by visiting patreon.com/curiousbodhi
50 - The Dharma of Liking, Disliking, Self & Not-self
The Curious Bodhi recently moved to Portugal! Hurray! This is my first episode in my new home country, and I decided to give a Dharma talk. Buddhism is all about practicality and notions we can use in our everyday lives and experience. In each moment, no matter how subtle or gross - liking and disliking run our experience, as we seek to make it different. Check it out, and don't forget to drop me a line at curiousbodhi@zoho.com.
49 - Trika Shaivism and Waking Up: Interview with Shambhavi
Shambhavi runs Jaya Kula, a centre focusing on the Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen traditions with centres in Portland, Oregon and San Rafael California -- Jaya Kula is a vibrant community which keeps to the roots of the traditions while increasing freedom and presence for everyone who practices. Shambhavi has been practicing for 30+ years and we talk about "waking up while living in a messy world". Check out www.jayakula.org and her podcast called "Satsang with Shambhavi" on iTunes, Spotify, and more.
48 - The Cycle of Mind: Interview with Alan Gordon
"My theory is... 'okay, so I live in a prison. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking. So instead of a prison, why don't I make it a palace?!" ~ Alan Gordon. This is, after all, what every great ancient wisdom tradition seeks to do -- and to share the love, residing in our own minds, with every other living being. Alan combines his years of experience and background with science and ancient wisdom to guide us on the exact steps to take positive action with our own minds. The mysterious subconscious and its relentless control over our lives is the focus of Alan's work, and he illumines us on its reprogramming capability. Since Buddhism and mind are inevitably intertwined, I thought I'd share another perspective on this vast and great topic. Visit Alan at www.cycleofmind.com -- he will also be launching his own "Cycle of Mind" podcast soon on September 24th, so be on the lookout! Love, namaste.
47 - Feeling Fear? Good News!
Short episode on what is really going on here... *If you'd like to get in touch, email me at curiousbodhi@zoho.com - ask questions, get curious, and I will answer them on the show.
46 - Conscious Evolution! Interview with Rob Cobbold
Rob Cobbold runs consciousevolution.co.uk, a global awareness movement that knows our true potential. He caught on that we are at the cusp of being able to fully consciously evolve as both human beings and societies. Gone are the days when we need our primal instincts to drive our behaviour, yet they still function; if we can harness the power of knowing ourselves by looking at where we have come from and have vision on where we are going, then we will be able to consciously choose rather than react. In this episode, we talk about evolution... we talk about spiral dynamics and human behaviour... and we talk about money. Enjoy! *Please help keep our show free by donating on Patreon if you support awakening, awareness, & society. Om, namaste, and blessings!
45 - Non-Judgement, The Buddhist Way!
What is true non-judgment and non-discrimination, at the root of it all? We go over the practical ways in which you can practice and see everyone and everything as "equal" -- this is in sharp contrast to how we normally view the world and see "other" in every aspect of life, from our 6 senses, to people, and to our own imaginations and mind-wanderings in meditation. Om Namah Buddhay!
44 - Satta Sutta: A Being
Sutta reading -- part III in a series of the three most crucial suttas to begin to understand the Dhamma. (Tipitaka: Samyutta Nikaya: SN23)
43 - Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion
Sutta reading -- part II in a series of the three most crucial suttas to begin to understand the Dhamma. (Tipitaka: Samyutta Nikaya: SN56)
42 - Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic
Sutta reading -- the first part in a series of the three most crucial suttas to begin to understand the Dhamma. (Tipitaka: Samyutta Nikaya: SN22)
41 - Navigating Through Spiritual Fads
How do we know we are learning genuine spiritual teachings and are not being taken a fool? Here, we talk about spiritual fads in relation to gurus, teachings, and paths and how to spot them. For example, Tantra has been co-opted to remain synonymous with sex, while its origins are extremely complex and broad, ranging from manipulating inner energies and winds, to perfectly imagining mandalas, to literally becoming a Vajrayana god or goddess. I open with an astonishing claim that the Buddha uttered himself about his own 8-fold path and its truths. Join me and tune in to look at your own experience to see if what I'm saying is true -- don't just believe me or any authority!
40 - God, Dharma, & Vedic Spirituality for all Seekers: Interview with Sri Acharya
Why can we trust the Vedas and the Upanishads over the scriptures and books of other religions? If experience is of the utmost importance, as it is in Buddhism, then what role does experience play in Sanatana Dharma and knowing Krishna as the highest? Why do we have this material body? What is unconditional love, and why does God desire it? How does personal intuition play into Sanatana Dharma? In this practical and philosophical interview which encourages free-thinking and reflection, Sri Acharya shares his knowledge and wisdom with ease. Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya is a Dharmi who is serious about changing the way societies across the world function to bring restoration of the "Eternal, Natural Way" from the dark age of Kali Yuga into the Coming Golden Age as predicted by the Vedas. Sri Acharya has been teaching solely in the United States after he was ordained a Vedic Brahmana over 40 years ago in India. Included in a long list of credentials, Acharyaji earned his PhD at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in "Languages and Cultures of Asia" and has spoken at Harvard, Cornell, Rutgers, and other prestigous universities and is learned in Sanskrit, Philosophy, Vedic Studies, and South Asian Affairs. Please visit dharmacentral.com and visit Dharma Nation on Youtube to become fascinated by Acharyaji's approach to life and spirituality.
39 - On Meditation: Interview with Eric Zimmer
Eric battled his former problem of addiction with meditation. Here, we talk about the way we both use meditation and our experiences. As a practice, meditation is so open to interpretation, so this episode may give you a new perspective on what meditation can do.
With much experience under his belt, Eric Zimmer has interviewed hundreds of guests on his own podcast and has had the privelege of meeting the likes of Sharon Salzburg, Lama Surya Das, and many other amazing human beings. He is well-renowned for his TedX talk called The Battle of Changing Your Behavior and now runs The One You Feed Podcast, named one of the “Best Podcasts of 2014” by iTunes and also named one of the "Best Health Podcasts of All Time" by the Huffington Post.
38 - The Essence of Dharma with Devananda
Devananda of the Essence of Dharma podcast talks with us in a free-flowing conversation about the nature of consciousness and Buddhism in a 'non-sectarian' sense and what this is like, breaking boundaries and barriers in this thing called "the world", Sadhana and realisation, emptiness, and existence in its largest sense.
37 - Waking Up Isn't So Easy!
My first awakening was as a teenager. I opened a book after having a psychological break (you know, the world ends with everything when you're young), and I read the sentence out loud: "We are all One". With that sentence, I lost my sense of self completely. Tears ran down my face, and I became one with the universe and all my pain and suffering was relieved. Long story short -- ever since, I have searched for God beyond conventional reality. Why? Because that experience was isolated and did not carry itself until final liberation. This is a very common pitfall: temporary enlightenment. Spiritual bypassing is another trap. What else? As an adult, the ego becomes solidified and strong. I even remember standing in my kitchen (again, as a moody teenager) while listening to the radio. A scientist on the broadcast mentioned that "by age 30, 99% of thoughts are no longer creative but are programmed and mechanical." I remember thinking, "I can't even think for myself when I grow up? I hope that never, ever happens to me!" Well, I've breached the barrier and became 31. As an avid painter and musician, at least some creative thought still belongs to me. And psychedelics have helped me realise that society doesn't actually exist, so there's that! But for many adults and people my age, awakening isn't easy. Adulting comes with baggage: childhood baggage, mortgage baggage, relationship baggage, job expectation baggage, socialising baggage, and anti-creative mind programming to top off the entire 30+ cake. Western culture teaches us that we are going somewhere, and we can't stop to breathe until we get there. It's covered up in bank balances, responsibilities, and social prestige/conditioning. But really, we are all just looking for ourselves! The "real me". Reality. The truth of what it means to be human. Love: real, unconditional love for ourselves and each other. So, we have to essentially unravel all the conditioning from the time we were born until this very moment to have any sort of epiphany and take all these layers off to become naked. What adult feels comfortable standing in a crowd naked? As a child, we did it, and we were damn proud of ourselves! But, awakening takes courage. This episode is about why it's difficult and what traps we can run into along the way. Sneaky ego! Send me a voice message - make it easy, @ https://anchor.fm/curiousbodhi/message
36 - Vedic Living: Interview with Akshay Kanade
Veda: Knowledge (n). Akshay was born in India and now lives and breathes in New York City, though he still keeps his connections to India. He is well-versed in Sanskrit, the Vedas, and Hindu scriptures, where we go through his wealth of knowledge and wisdom. We touch on Vedic stories, Ayurveda, history, and more. Though the Vedas can seem daunting to touch at first, here are key resources to become familiar with Vedic literature and thought: The Bhagavad Gita As It Is - by Srila Prabhupada, The Upanishads - of 108, 10-13 of which are considered major: Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Svetasvatara, Isha, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Kausitaki and Maitrayaniya, & great Vedantan Swami Vivekananda.
35 - Psychedelic Integration: Interview with Greg Lawrence
Greg Lawrence is a certified transformational and psychedelic integration coach who works with his clients in the preparation and integration stages of using psychedelic medicines. In our episode, we talk about psychedelic care; what to expect when taking plant medicines; and when it's a good or bad time take psychedelics personally. Greg has worked extensively with: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Bufo/5-MeO-DMT, NN-DMT, Kambo, Iboga, Sananga and Psilocybin/magic mushrooms. If you want to get in touch, see Greg's website at www.psychedelicintegrationspecialist.com.
34 - McMindfulness: The New Capitalist Spirituality with Ron Purser
It's no secret: "modern mindfulness" is in -- especially in the United States, and it is spreading rapidly also within Europe. We chat to Ron Purser, head of the Mindful Cranks Podcast and author of McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became The New Capitalist Spirituality, on his critique of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme that may have gotten too big for its britches to become a trendy self-help business model and even harmful for people and society in the long run. How has "modern mindfulness" been severed from its true Buddhist roots? How have big companies like Google and Apple hijacked mindfulness programmes to keep workers docile and the wheel of good ol' capitalism spinning? Is the science backing mindfulness even that sound? We go over all these questions and more in this engaging interview. McMindfulness will be released in July, 2019. Catch Ron at Foyle's Bookstore in Charring Cross, London in early August at his book signing.