Be Here Now Network Guest Podcast 2o4b63

Explaining Virya, the effort factor of enlightenment, meditation teacher Trudy Goodman explores the courage it takes to trust in our practice and to mindfully face the five hindrances.  Today’s podcast is also brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Trudy Goodman explains: Virya, the effort, energy, and enthusiasm factor of enlightenment  The courage it takes to be fully present with every life experience Showing up for our human experience with qualities of heart, courage, and balance  An impactful Iraq War story that reveals the power of presence and awareness How to work wisely with challenges that block mindful presence The five classical hindrances: wanting, ill-will, restlessness, sloth & torpor, and doubt A reading from the Flower Ornament Sutra about freeing the heart and mind from hindrances   How living defensively against pain limits our full human experience The positive impact of naming our struggles and how it prevents us from being swept away Moving through all experiences with steady effort—no halting, no straining Daily spiritual practice and repetition in order to build trust in life and the dharma The four great efforts that the Buddha talked about Protecting our hearts by not watering seeds of harm that arise in our thoughts and emotions Watering the seeds that are beneficial, feeding their growth, and encouraging goodness How to stay open to life's potential by expecting goodness, not fearing missed chances Trusting in the dharma, the natural world, and life’s unseen ive forces About Trudy Goodman: Trudy is a Viana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats, engages in activism work, and teaches workshops worldwide and online. She is also the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series, The Midnight Gospel. You can learn more about Trudy’s flourishing array of wonderful offerings at TrudyGoodman.com This 2011 recording is from Spirit Rock’s Fall Insight Meditation Retreat and was originally published on Dharmaseed.  “It takes great effort, great energy, great trust. When we bring that to this practice everyday, the trust is also a kind of confidence that if we just do this, things will unfold naturally without forcing them.” – Trudy Goodman See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gil Fronsdal explores why we suffer and how we can meet our suffering with a ive presence for the benefit of ourselves and all beings.  In this episode, Gil thoughtfully discusses: Becoming like a wise & peaceful snake, shedding our skin from time to time How mindfulness practice can contain the goal of cessation of greed, hatred, and delusion How clinging creates emotional stress, mental pain, and spiritual suffering Notice the “aah” of skillful action versus the “ouch” of unskillful action as we develop awareness Being present for the depth of suffering in the human heart Bringing the qualities of the awakened mind in to meet our suffering and help us release it Helping our suffering feel safe and ing that all suffering can be put to rest The ability to stay with our experiences without clinging and with a sense of wellbeing  Meeting our suffering for ourselves and to show the way for others Practicing mindfulness with sincerity, consistency, and heartfelt dedication This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp & Dharma Seed: Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTI Today’s podcast is also brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. About Gil Fronsdal: Gil Fronsdal is the co-teacher for the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California; he has been teaching since 1990. He has practiced Zen and Viana in the U.S. and Asia since 1975. He was a Theravada monk in Burma in 1985, and in 1989 began training with Jack Kornfield to be a Viana teacher. Gil teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is part of its Teachers Council. Gil was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center in 1982, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He currently serves on the SF Zen Center Elders’ Council. In 2011 he founded IMC’s Insight Retreat Center. He is the author of The Issue at Hand, essays on mindfulness practice; A Monastery Within; a book on the five hindrances called Unhindered; and the translator of The Dhammapada, published by Shambhala Publications. You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma. This recording was originally published on Dharmaseed.org No matter what it is, suffering is always an activity that can be put to rest, that can stop. Suffering is not the deepest thing in you. It doesn't have to define you, it's not all of who you are." – Gil Fronsdal See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at the 2022 Summer Mountain Retreat, Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman, and Raghu Markus explore the true essence of love through the lenses of service, social action, and selflessness. Come us this year at the 2025 Summer Mountain Retreat in Boone, North Carolina In this episode, Sharon, Robert, and Raghu hold a discussion on: Reframing love as an ability we can develop, rather than a fleeting emotion  Taking responsibility for love—actively cultivating it instead of waiting for it to arrive Recognizing authentic love as a deep sense of connection Understanding the etymology of metta, the Buddhist concept of loving-kindness and the sincere wish for another’s happiness Considering if we can genuinely wish happiness for others if we are not happy ourselves Identifying the pitfalls of ego-driven self-love and how it disrupts true bliss and spiritual connection Moving beyond spiritual ego—being real and grounded instead of feeling superior for simply meditating Reflecting on how Ram Dass radiated full, comionate attention to everyone around him Embracing love as the most powerful unseen force in the universe  Learning to forget ourselves and awaken true happiness through comion and loving-awareness Facing the challenge of practicing loving-awareness with those closest to us—often the hardest test of all This episode is sponsored by Dharma Seed:  Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTI About 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 podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million s and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com About 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. About Raghu Markus: Raghu Markus spent two years in India with Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass. He has been involved in music and transformational media since the early 1970s. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Love Serve Foundation and hosts the Mindrolling Podcast on the Be Here Now Network. Along with Duncan Trussell, Raghu also recently co-created The Movie of Me to the Movie of We. “When I thought of love as a feeling, it was also a commodity. It was in someone else’s hands and they could bestow it upon me, or, they could take it away from me…when I think of it as an ability, it’s a capacity within me that other people might awaken or inspire or threaten, but ultimately it’s mine. It’s mine to tender, it’s my responsibility.”– Sharon Salzberg See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mystical feminist Mirabai Starr shares the fruits of many years of investigating, excavating, and uplifting women’s voices within global spiritual traditions. This talk was recorded on Sept 22, 2020 as a part of the Virtual Ram Dass Fellowship. This week on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Mirabai Starr discusses: An invitation to unknowing and allowing our preconceived notions to fall away The patriarchal roots of spiritual traditions and religious institutions  Highlighting women’s spiritual wisdom in the Ram Dass community Women's circles that are free of a masculine influence  Honoring feelings as they arise and having the capacity to hold them  Speaking spiritual truth to power while staying heart-centered The great mystery and ambiguity of the feminine heart space  Connecting with our higher selves and true purpose  Practicing contemplative meditation through creativity The necessity of community for transformation to take place  Trusting the journey to spiritual awakening and surrendering to the process Balancing active and contemplative energies as sacred feminine archetypes ing that we all have both feminine and masculine energies within us This episode is sponsored by Dharma Seed:  Krishna Das, the most well-known voice of Bhakti chanting (Kirtan) in the West, and David Nichtern - a senior Buddhist teacher, founder of Dharma Moon, guitarist in Krishna Das’ band, and producer of several of his albums - for a warm and engaging conversation about these two paths, their shared roots, and how they intersect in contemporary spiritual practice. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - THE HEART & MIND OF PRACTICE: BUDDHISM & BHAKTI About Mirabai Starr: Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialogue. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Check out her many books and learn more at MirabaiStarr.com. About The Host, Jackie Dobrinska: Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an inter-spiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves. "It's scary to dwell in the heart because it's a place of mystery, at least the feminine heart is. It is a place where there is a great degree of tolerance for ambiguity—that the masculine paradigm conditions us to believe is a problem to be solved. The feminine heart space sees ambiguity as a higher truth, paradox as a vast space of truth. This heart has the capacity, because it is so vast, to hold seemingly contradictory propositions." – Mirabai Starr See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gil Fronsdal explores the heart of Buddhist tradition by blending mindfulness with the transformative power of comion and loving kindness. This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp & Dharma Seed: Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern and Duncan Trussell for a conversation about finding our own voice, our own expression, and our own way of connecting with people. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - AUTHENTIC PRESENCE: FINDING YOUR OWN VOICE On this episode of the BHNN Guest Podcast, Gil gives a dharma talk on: Discovering how love is foundational in Buddhist tradition and spiritual practice Exploring the two wings of Buddhism: balancing comion and wisdom Understanding why comion is essential in both practice and realization Learning how mindfulness can become fixated on the goal of enlightenment Shifting focus from attaining enlightenment to embodying comion Gil’s journey of softening the heart and embracing inner suffering Insights from the Buddha on cultivating loving kindness in daily life Healing inner conflict by embracing the parts of ourselves we often reject Practicing meeting every experience with radical comion and presence Letting comion bloom as a natural expression of inner peace Recognizing shared suffering and connecting with others as equals Discovering how the dharma reveals itself through all aspects of life. Today's recording was originally published on Dharmaseed.org About Gil Fronsdal: Gil Fronsdal is the co-teacher for the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California; he has been teaching since 1990. He has practiced Zen and Viana in the U.S. and Asia since 1975. He was a Theravada monk in Burma in 1985, and in 1989 began training with Jack Kornfield to be a Viana teacher. Gil teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is part of its Teachers Council. Gil was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center in 1982, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He currently serves on the SF Zen Center Elders’ Council. In 2011 he founded IMC’s Insight Retreat Center. He is the author of The Issue at Hand, essays on mindfulness practice; A Monastery Within; a book on the five hindrances called Unhindered; and the translator of The Dhammapada, published by Shambhala Publications. You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma. “People will say, 'Oh she realized a really deep enlightenment'. But how often do you hear someone say 'oh I got comioned' or 'that person, he reached the fourth stage of comion, he was fully comioned'? I think we all need more comion than enlightenment—if we want to separate the two. If we don't separate the two, then comion has to be an integral part of it." – Gil Fronsdal  See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Returning to the refuge of breath that is present from birth to death, JoAnna Hardy guides listeners through a grounding and connective breath-based practice.   Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this practice-infused episode, JoAnna guides listeners through: The first foundation of mindfulness, according to the Buddha Whole-body awareness and inviting our body fully into the practice The individuality of each breath and becoming familiar with our breath ing that the breath is always with us, from birth to death Finding calm, peace, energy, rapture, and joy within the breath  Becoming completely interested in each one of our inhales and exhales  Our exhale as the connection between us and nature, us and all beings  Landing in the rhythm of the breath and allowing it to rock you Letting the breath be our home base and refuge when our mind wanders during practice Becoming aware of sensations on and in our body via the throughline of the breath Feeling the body rather than thinking about your body  Exploring practice one breath at a time, one bodily sensation at a time, with curiosity This recording was originally published on Dharmaseed.org About JoAnna Hardy:  JoAnna Hardy is an insight meditation (Vianā) practitioner and teacher; she is on faculty at the University of Southern California, a meditation trainer at Apple Fitness+, a founding member of the Meditation Coalition, a teacher’s council member at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, a visiting retreat teacher at Insight Meditation Society, and a collaborator on many online meditation Apps and programs. Her greatest ion is to teach meditation in communities that are dedicated to seeing the truth of how racism, gender inequality and oppression go hand in hand with the comionate action teachings in Buddhism and related perspectives to social and racial justice.  “That exhale is going far beyond this body. It's what connects us to this earth, to nature, to all beings.” – JoAnna Hardy  See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Psychedelic expert, Dr. Raymond Turpin, discusses how psychedelics shut down our ‘default-mode’ and expand our creativity in music, art, and more.  Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, Raymond and Jackie discuss: LSD and how it effects the creative process The history of LSD, bicycle day, and more Painting under the influence of LSD for greater imagination Using LSD to tackle professional problems and crack emotional blocks LSD and increased concentration/focus for accelerated solutions How Psychedelics shut down our default-mode network of the brain Seeing wider possibilities for creativity for the use of psychedelics  The Grateful Dead, musical telepathy, and their role in the culture of LSD Synergy of music, musician, and audience via flow states and psychedelics The power of psychedelic co-creation The therapeutic potential of LSD for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and more This conversation was recorded as part of the Ram Dass Fellowship’s regular online gatherings. To learn more about the Ram Dass Fellowship and sign up to a fellowship gathering near you, visit RamDass.org/Fellowship. About Raymond Turpin: Dr. Raymond Turpin is the Clinical Director for The Pearl Psychedelic Institute and President of the Board of Directors. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator of The Pearl MDMA Project. Dr. Turpin has been studying the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and the relevant literature since the mid-1980s hoping to eventually legally use these medicines in his psychology practice. Specializing in the treatment of trauma, Dr. Turpin has extensive experience with children, adolescents, and families in a multitude of settings but has focused his practice on older adolescents and adults in recent years.  “What they found with the LSD art, some of the precise craftsmanship that these artists normally had suffered a bit, but it had greater aesthetic value, greater imagination, more evidence of abstract perceptions.” – Raymond Turpin See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Outlining the four resolves of wisdom, truth, relinquishment, and peace, Gil Fronsdal takes us down the path of freedom. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Gil Fronsdal explores: The four resolves of wisdom, truth, relinquishment, and peace How many people’s lives are founded on their attachments  Finding the dharma path in our lives  Arriving where we are rather than being in the future or past  The many beautiful meanings of being committed to truth  Connecting to our lived experience and finding truth in the present moment Adorning the mind through practicing generosity  Relinquishment as a means to enhance ourselves and to let go Gaining more from release than we do from holding  Using daily meditation to slowly become more peaceful  This recording was originally published on Dharmaseed. “When you’re engaged in a path of freedom, of mindfulness, of showing up, it’s partly a journey from living a life that has stress and suffering in it, to a life that doesn’t.” – Gil Fronsdal See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learning from the networks of connection among trees and fungi, Trudy Goodman offers a dharma talk about nature, the breath, and oneness. This 2016 recording is from Spirit Rock’s Fall Insight Meditation Retreat and was originally published on Dharmaseed.  In this episode, Trudy Goodman discusses: The fallacy of separate self and how we tend to forget our universal connection The matrix of identity that we create as we practice together Networks of connection in the natural world  Inter-breathing and the web of connection via breath The breath as the bridge between our conscious and unconscious Taking the backward step, a practice in subtle relaxation and receiving the moment Allowing things to appear and disappear as the path to awakening  Noticing our patterns of reaction as our body and breath anchor us  Seeing the changing way of life and how it can flow through us and in us Finding freedom in the present moment  Feeling more sane, little by little, through practice  Tools for ing our oneness About Trudy Goodman: Trudy is a Viana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats, engages in activism work, and teaches workshops worldwide and online. She is also the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series, The Midnight Gospel. You can learn more about Trudy’s flourishing array of wonderful offerings at TrudyGoodman.com “We are surrounded by these beautiful trees and plants, being so close to nature. I feel like they’re ing, modeling, and showing us a way to be together here. We can experience this web in our own breath. We inter-breathe. We’re breathing not just each other's breath, but we’re breathing the breath of our ancestors. We’re breathing molecules that dinosaurs breathed, that the Buddha and his community breathed. We’re sharing air with all creatures really, and all those who came before us, all those who are currently in existence, and this breath will flow into all the future beings too.” – Trudy Goodman See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Talking about everything, everybody, nothing and nobody, David shares stories about Trungpa Rinpoche and Ram Dass from the 1970s to now. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode of the BHNN Guest Podcast, David and Jackie discuss: The first meeting of Ram Dass and Trungpa Rinpoche Seeing the ordinary magic of this reality  David’s work with Krishna Das and receiving dream-messages Coning love and bliss with emptiness Ram Dass’ concept of ‘becoming nobody’ Nihilism and negativity versus an empty openness  David’s work with the Ram Dass Legacy treats in Maui Two different types of meditation (focus and discovery) Showing up for practice rather than doing it perfectly  Love and surrender within the guru tradition and other forms of love How to respond to hate with love in these trying times  Transforming anger and working with our emotions in a more productive way  Check out David Nichtern’s Meditation Teacher Training Course - registration extended to Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025: Learn More About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently s the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community.  About The Host, Jackie Dobrinska: Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an inter-spiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves.  Photo via PerfectLazybones “There’s ionate love, deep love of a friendship, playful love, love for everything. In our culture love has gotten confusing, especially romantic comedies. But, I think love doesn’t bend. It’s this deep, steadfast, force like gravity. That unconditional love that isn’t moved around by the wind.” – Jackie Dobrinska See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a full episode dedicated to the Hanuman Chalisa, Krishna Das chants with retreat attendees and explains the power of this moving mantra. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.  In this 2019 recording from the Ram Dass Open Your Heart in Paradise Retreat, Krishna Das is ed onstage with his band for a Hanuman Chalisa workshop. Harkening the Hanuman Chalisa as “a long invocation to awaken our hearts and to move us deeper into ourselves, into that love,” Krishna Das describes this particular mantra as a practice that connects us to Hanuman’s flow of grace. Chanting the Chalisa helps to remove obstacles from our path while fulfilling our purest desires. With these intentions set, Krishna Das and friends lead a cascading waterfall of some of their most potent and recognizable Hanuman Chalisa melodies. Communing together as we listen to this episode, we’re able to sense our universal connection and tap into that love that Krishna Das speaks of. Interested in ing us in Maui for the 2025 Ram Dass Open Your Heart In Paradise Retreat? Click HERE to learn more. About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. For more wisdom and worship from Krishna Das, be sure to check out his podcast Pilgrim Heart on the Be Here Now Network. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “This is a long invocation to awaken our hearts and to move us deeper into ourselves, into that love. You don’t have to know what all these words mean, but you can read the translation. But what we can do, even if we don’t understand the actual meaning of the words, we can understand that this practice is a practice of connecting, connecting with that flow of grace that is Hanuman. The flow of grace that removes all obstacles from our path and allows to recognize that love in ourselves and others.” – Krishna Das See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dynamic duo Annie & Michael Mithoefer speak with Jackie Dobrinska about how we can reach our innate healing capacity via psychedelic-assisted therapy, breathwork, and more. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week, Annie & Michael Mithoefer discuss: Ram Dass’ influence on Annie and Michael’s life A story of meditative guidance from Neem Karoli Baba Our capacity to self-heal via psychedelics or other non-ordinary states The power of breath work as a pathway to inner healing Researching MDMA-assisted therapy Separating the self from the medicine How avoidance perpetuates trauma Utilizing psychedelics to re-open social reward learning networks The importance of integration sessions after psychedelic-assisted therapy How PTSD affects people, relationships, and more Allowing the lows to become just as interesting as the highs About Michael and Annie Mithoefer Michael and Annie Mithoefer have been instrumental in developing the MDMA protocols and standards of care that have been used in the ongoing MAPS FDA trials. They crafted the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training Program, a clinical training program that facilities learning in the theory, skills and practice of MDMA-assisted therapy. The MAPS training program has reportedly introduced MDMA-assisted therapy to over 2,000 interested mental health care professionals. Michael Mithoefer, M.D., is a psychiatrist living in Asheville, NC, with a research office in Charleston, SC. Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., is a ed Nurse living in Asheville NC, where she is now focused primarily on training and supervising therapists conducting MAPS-sponsored clinical trials, as well as continuing to conduct some MAPS research sessions in Charleston, SC. Learn more about the art of psychedelic care HERE. About The Host, Jackie Dobrinska: Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an inter-spiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves.  “These are tools for accessing these non-ordinary states of consciousness. It’s not about the medicine, and the medicines are not the only way to do it, which Ram Dass demonstrated in the latter part of his life. That was very much the philosophy, and very much the philosophy that there’s this inner healing intelligence, self-healing capacity, and what we’re doing is helping people access that. – Michael Mithoefer See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Considering how we relate to the world, Gil Fronsdal offers insight into freedom from our mental constructs through stillness of mind. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, Gil Fronsdal offers wisdom on: The relationship between fundamental insight and fundamental happiness Dividing the present moment into three parts (what's happening, our relationship to it, and the self) The Anicca Vata Sankhara chant, an important chant among Theravada Buddhists Seeing happiness through stilling our mental constructions Objective reality versus human-made conventions Understanding the world of relatedness and settling it down Being aware of the breath within the breath The season of being in relationship and the season of letting things be The ever-presence of awareness and the freedom it can bring Buddhist practice helps us see when something is a construction Seeing the arising and ing of all mental activity  We have all these conventions and they’re useful, we play with them, they’re antidotes, they settle things. It’s also possible to relate to the breathing, to be present for the breath, without a convention, but present. The mind doesn’t go towards the breath, the breath doesn’t go to you, the breath arises in awareness. The awareness doesn’t go anywhere.” – Gil Fronsdal This 2008 recording was originally published on Dharmaseed About Gil Fronsdal: Gil Fronsdal is the co-teacher for the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California; he has been teaching since 1990. He has practiced Zen and Viana in the U.S. and Asia since 1975. He was a Theravada monk in Burma in 1985, and in 1989 began training with Jack Kornfield to be a Viana teacher. Gil teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is part of its Teachers Council. Gil was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center in 1982, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He currently serves on the SF Zen Center Elders’ Council. In 2011 he founded IMC’s Insight Retreat Center. Gil has an undergraduate degree in agriculture from U.C. Davis where he was active in promoting the field of sustainable farming. In 1998 he received a PhD in Religious Studies from Stanford University studying the earliest developments of the bodhisattva ideal. He is the author of The Issue at Hand, essays on mindfulness practice; A Monastery Within; a book on the five hindrances called Unhindered; and the translator of The Dhammapada, published by Shambhala Publications. You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma. See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ram Dev s the Ram Dass Fellowship to provide tools for spiritual healing to all listeners during this time of uncertainty. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. Hosted by Jackie Dobrinska, Ram Dev discusses: The anxiety that arose during the pandemic Navigating uncertainty in life and death Reframing uncertainty as a positive and exciting phenomena Finding inspiration in uncertainty for deepening our practice Having comion for our anxiety and our fear when it does arise Caregiving as spiritual practice & avoiding burnout Fear vs. faith and transmuting grief into comion Seeing everyone as the guru, the mother, or God How to have a conscious dying process Opening our hearts and being with things the way they are This conversation was recorded as part of the Ram Dass Fellowship’s regular online gatherings. To learn more about the Ram Dass Fellowship and sign up to a fellowship gathering near you, visit RamDass.org/Fellowship. About RamDev: RamDev Dale Borglum is the founder and Executive Director of The Living/Dying Project. He is a pioneer in the conscious dying movement and has worked directly with thousands of people with life-threatening illness and their families for over 30 years. In 1981, Dale founded the first residential facility for people who wished to die consciously in the United States, The Dying Center. He has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of spiritual for those with life-threatening illness, on caregiving as a spiritual practice, and on healing at the edge, the edge of illness, of death, of loss, of crisis. Check out RamDev’s podcast, Healing at the Edge, on the Be Here Now Network. Learn more about The Living/Dying Project at livingdying.org RamDev’s March Healing at the Edge workshops: https://livingdying.org/2025workshop/ About Jackie Dobrinska: Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an interspiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves.  Learn more about Jackie’s work at asimplevibrantlife.com.  “Is it possible to use uncertainty, not as something that’s a problem or something we are getting tight in relationship to, but it’s bringing juice to our life, it’s bringing excitement in a certain way.” – RamDev See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Renowned Buddhist teacher Gil Fronsdal outlines how a connection to the body is the gateway into the present moment. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Gil Fronsdal dives into: Reminding ourselves to be in the present moment Finding the dharma in the here and now Our lived spaces of awakening Not being in conflict with reality Staying aware and being able to trust ourselves Relishing in our own uniqueness and allowing it to flower The importance of the body in Buddhist practice Watching the rhythms in our body The body as a royal road to the unconscious This episode is also brought to you by Dharma Moon. Buddhist teachers David Nichtern and Professor Robert Thurman for a free online event on Tuesday, March 4th at 6pm ET. Together, they'll explore the power of lineage, tradition, and the evolution of mindfulness practices. They’ll also discuss Dharma Moon’s renowned mindfulness meditation teacher training program. Visit dharmamoon.com/lineage for more info and to reserve your spot for the free online event with David Nichtern and Professor Robert Thurman! About Gil Fronsdal: Gil Fronsdal is the co-teacher for the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California; he has been teaching since 1990. He has practiced Zen and Viana in the U.S. and Asia since 1975. He was a Theravada monk in Burma in 1985, and in 1989 began training with Jack Kornfield to be a Viana teacher. Gil teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is part of its Teachers Council. Gil was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center in 1982, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He currently serves on the SF Zen Center Elders’ Council. In 2011 he founded IMC’s Insight Retreat Center. Gil has an undergraduate degree in agriculture from U.C. Davis where he was active in promoting the field of sustainable farming. In 1998 he received a PhD in Religious Studies from Stanford University studying the earliest developments of the bodhisattva ideal. He is the author of The Issue at Hand, essays on mindfulness practice; A Monastery Within; a book on the five hindrances called Unhindered; and the translator of The Dhammapada, published by Shambhala Publications. You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma. This recording was originally published on Dharmaseed “The body is really like a meditation hall. So much unfolds. So much emphasis in Buddhism is made for practicing within the body, becoming embodied, where we feel like we are inhabiting our body rather than just pulling it around.” – Gil Fronsdal See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beginning with the Buddha’s teaching of Anapanasati, Trudy Goodman explores the breath as our most reliable and loving life-long companion. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on the BHNN Guest Podcast, renowned Buddhist teacher Trudy Goodman explores: The breath as our life-long, trusted companion The Buddhist teaching of breath-awareness (Anapanasati) Developing heartful awareness along with the breath Coming back to the ‘teddy bear’ of our breath Staying with the breath while being aware of other things in our minds A guided breath practice and deepening our sense of focus Breath practice as a method of relaxation The tender caress of the breath in the body About Trudy Goodman: Trudy is a Viana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats and workshops worldwide. Learn more about Trudy’s offerings at trudygoodman.com This talk was originally published on Dharmaseed The breath is our life-long companion, it’s our partner. It’s the partner that never deserts us, never goes away, never betrays us. It’s always with us, as long as we’re alive, in each moment of our existence. It’s such a trustworthy companion all the time.” – Trudy Goodman See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring Bhakti, Buddhism, and lessons from wise teachers, Krishna Das and Robert Thurman come together for a wide-ranging discussion. This recording is from the 2020 Cultivating Wise Hope Virtual Retreat. Find more heart-focused teachings like this, along with practices and digital courses from Ram Dass and friends with Ram Dass’ Inner Academy: Learn More Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, Krishna Das and Robert Thurman discuss: The miracles of Maharaj-ji How all people are wholly embraced by divine love Bhakti as devotional heart-to-heart merging An exploration of dreams and being happy to let go Being brave enough to have a heart and experience wonder A breakdown of the three parts of ‘Om’ Sovereignty and the tremendous power we all have Recognizing that Nirvana is everywhere Lessons from Jesus and Christianity Looking to Kali and being fierce but always with love About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas About 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. “To be fully alive in union, in heart-merger with love, it has to be beyond heartbreak. Yet, beyond heartbreak is not without coming back and being brave enough to have a heart and expressing. It has to be still wonder. You still have to be living in wonder.” – Robert Thurman See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visionary artist, Martina Hoffmann, describes her encounters with spirit through dreams, nature, psychedelics and more. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, Martina Hoffman offers a talk on: Encountering spirit through dreaming, nature, and more The interweaving of creativity and spirit Attempting to express the ineffable Entering into meditation through art Martina’s expansive spiritual evolution Lucid dreaming and transitioning from dream to awakening Out of body experiences and feeling everything deeply Martina’s experience with psychedelics and receiving grace The many ways that one can heal (physically, spiritually, emotionally) Letting go and embracing new beginnings How challenging moments prepare us for the final journey About Martina Hoffmann: German-born, Martina Hoffmann partially grew up in Cameroon, West Africa. She studied art education with and sculpting at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt/Main, . During this time she also met the Fantastic Realist, Robert Venosa, and greatly inspired by his work, began her work as a painter. During their 30 year relationship they closely worked together, taught workshops worldwide and shared studios, both in the US as well as in Europe. Today Martina Hoffmann works as a painter and sculptress and remains a central figure in contemporary Visionary Art. Her paintings offer the viewer a detailed glimpse into her inner landscapes – imagery that has been inspired by expanded states of consciousness. Her Visionary Realism is decidedly feminine and places the ‘Universal Woman’ in an intimate cosmos. She transcribes her ecstatic experiences but also her subtle reflections on the nature of women in a realistic style which marries the fantastic to the sacred. Check out Martina’s work on her website. “My eyes opened, this beautiful blue sphere appeared in front of me and was suspended by electric energy. I made a painting of it. It had a message that said don’t be afraid. They explained to me how I had to go through this process to help me become the person I was supposed to be.” – Martina Hoffmann About The Host, Jackie Dobrinska: Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an inter-spiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves.  See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guiding us along the path, Gil Fronsdal shows how to develop spirituality into enduring inner strengths rather than solitary experiences. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, Gil Fronsdal teaches listeners about: Developing personal, inner strengths The tendency of meditators to over-value spiritual experiences Wisdom as one of our inner strengths The clarity of awakening and seeing the functions of our heart and mind How something arises and how something ceases What it means to be awake in the here and now Recognizing all of the times we are in the past or the future Shedding, letting go, and simplifying our experience Finding the path in the present moment Remaining composed and settling our entire being How the Buddhist path does not have a destination About Gil Fronsdal: Gil Fronsdal is the co-teacher for the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California; he has been teaching since 1990. He has practiced Zen and Viana in the U.S. and Asia since 1975. He was a Theravada monk in Burma in 1985, and in 1989 began training with Jack Kornfield to be a Viana teacher. Gil teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is part of its Teachers Council. Gil was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center in 1982, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He currently serves on the SF Zen Center Elders’ Council. In 2011 he founded IMC’s Insight Retreat Center. Gil has an undergraduate degree in agriculture from U.C. Davis where he was active in promoting the field of sustainable farming. In 1998 he received a PhD in Religious Studies from Stanford University studying the earliest developments of the bodhisattva ideal. He is the author of The Issue at Hand, essays on mindfulness practice; A Monastery Within; a book on the five hindrances called Unhindered; and the translator of The Dhammapada, published by Shambhala Publications. You may listen to Gil’s talks on Audio Dharma. This recording was originally published on Dharmaseed “The right attitude, the right intention, is to begin finding that way of being that simplifies our experience. One of the right intentions is the intention of letting go, of renunciation. You can’t take a lot of baggage with you, even good baggage, if you want to walk the path.” – Gil Fronsdal See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring how to untangle the threads of intense desire, teacher Trudy Goodman offers direction on meeting the Dharma. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the BHNN Guest Podcast, Buddhist teacher Trudy Goodman discusses: Being incarnated into this desire-body Diversity within desire and being tuned into different frequencies The pressure to conform to expectations Difficulty in knowing our deepest desires and embodying them Being determined to do what we want Coming home to the true self which is underneath everything Heartbreak and obstacles to connection as a place of learning Developing our ability to be with intense sensation and maintaining awareness Leaning into the call of the dharma This recording from the Big Bear Retreat Center was originally published on Dharmaseed About Trudy Goodman: Trudy is a Viana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats and workshops worldwide. Learn more about Trudy’s offerings at trudygoodman.com “This place of heartbreak, of the obstacles to love, connection, longing, relationship, this place is really the place that we learn how to hold this world of desire with a peaceful heart.” – Trudy Goodman See at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.