Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Ep. 109 - Shock Treatment

The shock of recognition is a phenomenon that can manifest in a teacher’s spoken wise words or a written mindblower or a magical musical moment. We talk through a great Anais Nin paragraph and a Krishna Das sound bite that illuminate this. Plus, what is the difference between reality and pretense in a vision, an icon, or the apparent sudden 3D appearance of a deity? Does so-called objective, provable truth matter if you are inarguably elevated or awakened? See Privacy Policy at http...

Ep. 108 - Memory of the Present

Ep. 107 - Duncan Trussell's Brain Eviction

Duncan & The Mindrollers evict pollution-people from the brain, searching for authentic cadences and benign radiations. Plus Duncan rants rationally about self-reliance and the illusions of governance. David recalls almost becoming a right-wing speechwriter and Raghu delights in meeting not one, but two Karmapas, #’s 16 & 17, who seemed to be the same soul. The intense reality of intimate connections, within the oneness of being, begin and end the podcast. See Privacy Policy at http...

Ep. 106 - Ryan LeCompte: Transforming PTSD

David and Raghu introduce a third generation military man- a marine who had a major transformation from PTSD - and re-integrated his trauma through the psychedelic experience. What followed was overwhelming compassion and a direct line to Eastern Mysticism, Ram Dass and the great Buddhist masters. As Ryan says about his healing- “ It sure feels good, on this journey, to stop on the road, drop our packs and break bread with our brothers and sisters”. See Privacy Policy at https://art...

Ep. 105 - Poetry in Motion

R&D introduce Bernadine - the newest member of the Mindrolling team… new End of the World situation with Indiana and the Chem trails conspiracy… Karmapa the 17th - at 29 years old yet 1800 years old really - talks to Harvard about LGBT rights, race relations and the environment. And is meditation an obsession of the middle class? As a special treat, Raghu and David read from the sublime poetry of Steven Levine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

Ep. 104 - Journey OM with John Bush

Raghu and David hang with longtime friend John Bush as he discusses the making of his upcoming documentary, Journey Om - a pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of India. John tells the tale of getting his Hindu name Krishna from Maharaji and his curious case of mistaken identity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 103 - Kittisaro and Thanissara

From Chatanooga and London to the forest monasteries of Thailand, this couple articulates their clear-as-a-bell vision of credible liberation. Can the grit of suffering become a pearl of consciousness? K & T delight R & D with some R & R from ordinary mind and light up the podcast. They also display pragmatic activist consciousness in their wise words about nurturing Mother Earth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv...

Ep. 102 - From Anger to Altruism with Noah Levine

Alchemizing rebel anger into Buddhist altruism with Noah Levine, writer of Dharma Punx, plus R & D’s personal experiences with Van Morrison and Joey Ramone… Newfoundland somehow is in there too as a Canadian Pure Land on a very auspicious day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 101 - The Lost and Found Department

David loses a Tibetan precious jewel. Suddenly, miraculously, it re-appears a year later and sparks a rare blog spoken out loud. And Raghu drills deep into the epidemic of facelessness, with social media as the head of the dragon. Plus news about a very false guru and great riffing from Stevie Ray Vaughan… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 100 - Dispel the Spells

Mary O’Malley takes us through her concept of the spells that we had imposed on us as we grew into our “ego” bodies- R&D discuss with Mary the anti-dote to the spells and the self talking storytelling that crowds our minds all the day long! Real practical how to info for the stretched and compressed lives we live. And Mindrolling celebrates our 100th Podcast! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf...

Ep. 99 - From Brad Willis to Bhava Ram

Massive transformation, noetic feeling, absolute healing – Bhava Ram (aka Brad Willis) tells his life story from his harrowing NBC war correspondent days through huge suffering and addiction finally to emergence as a full blown yogi and exemplar of optimism, grit and perennial practice. Podcast 99 tells a miraculous tale. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 98 - Deeper Default Mode

Psychedelic therapy and its mystical grasp in the 21st Century – R & D explore the newer, fresher science of psilocybin and LSD studies along with David’s fish eyes acid empathy and Raghu’s not quite mindful crashing his car into a ditch. Plus Maharaji memories of pure wisdom trumping the deepest trip imaginable… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 97 - Walking Home

• Exploring Death (It’s all the rage) - The truth is that we have no idea what happens when we drop our body, so it’s hard to say whether any particular reaction is appropriate or not. The sooner we face the reality of our mortality, the more time we have to approach it • Heart to Heart - Buddha was one heart, and turned on many. As we go deeper into ourselves we radiate that frequency to the world around us. We find balance and share what we learn. • Finding Balance (Change your con...

Ep. 96 - Dharma Bums

• Bums United - Ian explains how he was introduced to the mindrollers, and discusses some of his early transformers, including the discovery of transcendental meditation, and subsequently Buddhism • Don’t be a Buddhist (Be a Buddha) - There are no rules in Buddhism, just suggestions, which point in the direction of awakening. We can all have unique methods that move us closer to that state of awareness. Ian makes it a point to include Metta as part of his practice, citing it as a maj...

Ep. 95 - McMindfulness

• Phobias Formed (Blame our ancestors) - Science points to direct experiences in forming phobias that can be found further down the genetic line. Raghu rattles off some of the more interesting fears in the modern age - does ignorance play a role in many of these irrational fears? • Mindfulness vs. Therapy (Head to Head) - Spiritual circles sometimes frown upon psychoanalysis, citing its potential to perpetuate thought patterns. We have to keep in mind that meditation alone can’t alwa...

Ep. 94 - Open Your Heart in Paradise with Duncan Trussell

Recorded live at the 2014 ‘Open Your Heart in Paradise’ retreat in Maui, Raghu is joined by fellow Mindpod patron, Jack Kornfield, as well as the podcast guru himself, Duncan Trussell. The power trio chats about Duncan’s initiation into the Satsang, the sustainability of Dharma power, and the technology-fueled future of spirituality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 93 - Buddhism, Inc.

Can even Buddhist teachings become commercialized, homogenized and…lost? Or is it a quasi-tantric situation where desire is the fuel? A look at the delightful idea of “If you can’t eat it or fuck it, piss on it.” David & Raghu circle around concepts and contradictions within modern absorption of ancient teachings. And it always seems to end in the simplicity and depth of “kindness.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pr...

Ep. 92 - Hanging with Jack Carroll

Sam Harris (In the self-help section) - The gang weighs in on Mr. Harris, and his attempt to make an ‘intellectual case for those skeptical of the whole enterprise’. How should we approach his demand for validation regarding spiritual experiences The Media’s Role - Dave comments on the media’s false claim that the current youth is rejecting all religion, despite all the evidence that points to an increased interest in yoga, meditation, mysticism and psychedelics. Religion can’t be li...

Ep. 91 - Skeptiko

Mr. Skeptiko (Skeptical, even of skeptics) - Alex encourages an assiduous examination of consciousness and those who deny it's all-pervasive nature Debunking the Debunker - How do we know when we are dealing with the Truth? Bias seems to be more common than not in many forms of journalism. When 'the facts' are actually put to light, they don't often shine so bright NDE (Not limited to the hospital) - Alex explains his takeaway from Eden Alexander's book, 'Proof of Heaven'. These expe...

Ep. 90 - Abundance

• Frozen Baba - Ashutosh Maharaj and his sub-zero Samadhi. Does the quality of one’s practice reveal itself in the often-remarkable deaths of great beings? • Genuine Insights (From a questionable politician) - Do seemingly nefarious actions preclude individuals from benevolent intuitions? Highlights the ongoing, ‘Us vs. Them’, conundrum. We are all complex beings, and we have to remain open to allow space for acceptance • Dave Finds Love (For an unlikely candidate) • Abundance Withou...

Ep. 89 - A Hangout with Duncan Trussell

The gang hangs with Duncan Trussell for the first of many live podcast taking place on Mindpodnetwork.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 88 - Quantum, Siddhas, Selflessness

Quantum entanglement leads us to parallel mysticism, synchronicity and selflessness. A strange brew, yes, but interconnectedness is happening whether we know it or not, and seems ultimately is a conscious doorway to freedom. Raghu praises David for not getting enraged at noisy drunkards in a restaurant. We toss around the business of not killing bugs, and Dave’s pet, Boris the Spider. And what it is to see yourself as the lowest person as opposed to pride of selfhood. Tons of chewabl...

Ep. 87 - Ram Dass On The Near Death Experience

Ram Dass talks with the Mindrollers about NDE, the safety of death, light beings, the Soul Pod, the Tibetan Book of the Dead…and G-d’s extensive wardrobe. He ends with describing his joy at witnessing the awakenings of so many people he has influenced. Episode Outline: • Ram Dass’ Impression of the NDE - We are ushered into the perspective of the Soul, and encounter other ‘light beings’ that seek to understand our connection to our previous incarnation. These beings are our ‘Soul Lan...

Ep. 86 - Cultivating Versatile Wisdom with David Wagner

Our guest is teacher David Wagner, and we talk with him about cultivating versatile wisdom, the role of psychedelics in finding a path, trauma as gateway, and, once again, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This podcast fuses practical living and spiritual aspiration, with an unpretentious dude, always looking for ways to help, leaving his pride at the door, traveling on the inner plane both on and off his Harley... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Ep. 85 - Mental Manipulation

Is positive thinking always positive? Conversely, do we repeatedly talk ourselves into a nasty, negative self-image? R & D drill deep into some new - and scientific - views on all this mental manipulation. And how does mindfulness affect our ability to ameliorate how we think and behave? Along with this, Raghu waxes all medical and recommends a book to improve our gut feeling about…our gut. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...

Ep. 84 - Jack Carroll’s Consciousness

Jack Carroll is a 16 year old comedian/seeker who has had outstanding media success in Britain. He happens to have cerebral palsy, but you would be hard put to find a young dude who is more cerebrally on top of things than Jack. We talk about comedy, Hare Krishna, Russell Brand, Bob Marley, kindness and madness - and personal inner peace. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 83 - Le Tour de Trance...

Imbibe seven intoxicating tracks from the Triloka Trance Planet series. This should result in a rapid rebooting of your consciousness, where the magic music takes over and the blues fade away. With commentary by R & D, this episode should take you to the heights of your head and the depths of your heart. These potent sounds go from pure folkloric to totally out there fusion…travel with the trancers and enjoy! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Ep. 82 - Precious Presence

It’s all about the present of the present. Alan Watts on the “constantly retreating phantom” of the future... Ram Dass banishing methods/techniques if they are a trap to “end up free” - loving and living our exact present - one of the big big clues to happiness. Oh, and Raghu introduces the medical miracle of poop transplants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 81 - G-d, Darwin, Raghu and Dave

Do G-d and science have a problem with each other, seriously? What are “non overlapping magisteria”? What is the true power of friendship? R & D ramble through very different realms of reality, ending in the great vibe of merely mentioning Nirvikalpa Samadhi… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 80 - Be A Vigilante

Mining the inner vigilance to stop your world and reset…meditation on ugliness…harming the self-cherishing mind…the transparent karma, the mysterious karma…all this as the second part of our take on the Dalai’s Lama’s thought transformation commentary plus a little Leonard Cohen music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 79 - Thought Transformation

His Holiness’s ”Commentary On The Verses Of Thought Transformation” is our podcast 79 stimulus, where we explore the dangers of self-cherishing, the wisdom of the witness, the cunning of the ego-mind, the temptation of anger addiction, the glory of loving awareness, ending in a sublime George Harrison song. We - Raghu & David & Rachael & Noah & Nathan (the team) - love this podcast, possibly at the risk of subtle self-cherishing! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...

Ep. 78 - The Inner Judge

How do we neutralize the annoying and damaging inner judge? Relentlessly parsing other people’s words and worth is, simply put, really unhealthy and besides hurting other people, it upsets profoundly your own balancing act of living life. Within this mix, R&D also chat about India, William F. Buckley Jr. and the hidden treasures of Padmasambhava... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 77 - Roshi Joan Halifax

Roshi Joan honors us with her wisdom and illuminated presence. She gets into the need for authentic daily practice and avoidance of the quick fix...dealing with moral distress...actualized compassion and retaining buoyancy in a difficult world...Thich Nhat Hanh and Alan Watts's influence...working with the great folklorist, Alan Lomax...bodhicitta and the awakened heart - a lot to chew upon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...

Ep. 76 - Marijuana Matters

Bruce Margolin, America's leading lawyer fighting unjust pot laws, talks about the whole spectrum of marijuana legal insanity, plus the racist, xenophobic origins of the "reefer madness" myth making. Plus we talk about a miraculous cannabis oil toddler's recovery. Laws are easing, but Bruce lets us know how the prejudice and ignorance continues, despite the overwhelmingly benign results of sensible pot usage, sensorium pot smoking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

Ep. 75 - Happiness, Unhappiness

We tackle how to be happy, how to find equanimity within suffering...tough stuff...the mega ironies of the pleasure/desire chase..."love people, use things"...the strange fact that happiness and unhappiness are not actually opposites...death the leveler and finally "Dying" stores in strip malls - "Be Dead Now"...still, this is a happy podcast from two "cheerful melancholics." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d...

Ep. 74 - The Spiritual Not Religious Thing

When someone says “I’m spiritual not religious” what does that mean? How important is mysticism in spirituality? R & D roll this around, along with cheaper solar, no hating, Jesus as yogi, and the angel on 5th and 42nd… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 73 - Consciousness throughout it all…

Stream of consciousness about…consciousness. Its abiding continuity behind and throughout “ordinary trauma"…its persistent existence beyond karma...its ultimately redemptive resonance. And what does it mean to see our body as merely a “rented house”? Also, R&D insist on knowing nothing once again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 72 - Jamie's Giant Leap

R & D with Jamie Catto, film-maker best known for his iconic “One Giant Leap” global consciousness film. We enter into exploration of JC’s transformative films, workshops and lifestyle, which we trust will move listeners to check out his movies, so they too can create for themselves a quantum leap of awareness. Compelling conversation, definite food for thought... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

Ep. 71 - Tami Simon’s True Sounds

Tami Simon’s amazing company, Sounds True, has gathered and published for all of us a treasure trove of teachings – spoken word, music, more…so we just had to talk to her. Her mission, without pretension, was always to “disseminate spiritual wisdom.” Tami’s teachers and catalysts affected her as if she were “being held by an unlimited field of awe and wonder.” We hear her wisdom regarding ambiguity, so-called broken-ness and the constant conversation on the inner plane. Tami is a rar...

Ep. 70 - Perspectives of the Heart

Potent, beautiful perspectives brought about by shattering epiphanies out of the blue - R & D get into this with chat ranging from the edge of awakening caused by everything from a heart attack to a post-concussion Jersey cow. And what is the real difference between acquisitive quid pro quo “love” and pure, unconditional love? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 69 - Mirabai Starr Lights Up the Dark…

Mirabai Starr speaks truth from profound personal experience, her dark night of the soul – as well as kindly communicating to us the curative possibilities of transformation via grief. It’s just so special to hear her visions and interpretations of amazing mystics as well as her lucid articulation of the Oneness of all authentic spiritual paths. Mirabai’s transcendent work and perspective is a healing in itself. Meeting Mirabai’s heart and soul is like drinking cool, clear water in t...

Ep. 68 - Wall Street Mind-Hacking Meditators?

Should Hedge Funders find their edge through meditation? Is it OK for killers to practice mindfulness? R & D get into that plus Mr. Rogers, the Quaker Oats man, the fine art of eye contact, Maria Shriver, martial arts and the Gita. Good luck. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 67 - The Brain Train & William B.

Rewire your thoughts/emotions and Eureka – neuroplasticity! Plus we gab about mindfulness techniques allowing us to observe and lessen the hyped up reactions and transcend the tedious triggers - then, relief and release - huge and tiny setbacks may lose their nasty grip on our day…this and a killer William Burroughs track and you have a rockin’ Podcast 67. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. ...

Ep. 66 - Space Time Life, Quantum Afterlife

Does consciousness exist outside the constraints of time and space? Does new science substantiate Tibetan vision, vindicate the lysergic realization? Rolling with life and afterlife cradled by the non-local, meanwhile, as usual, R & D exuding anecdotes, antidotes, a rant and a minimum of cant… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 65 - Joseph Goldstein’s Mindfulness…

Joseph Goldstein, Insight Meditation Society sage, with us in conversation about his new book “Mindfulness: A Practical Guide To Awakening” – washing the mind of neurosis; combating I, Me, Mine; what you’re looking for is what is looking… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 64 - Krishna Das, Kirtan Wallah

KD in a far-ranging conversation with R & D, plus tracks from his brand new “Kirtan Wallah” CD. We talk about the realities of having or not having a guru… KD on non-emotional longing, loving the inner self, re-awakening after our obsession with who we think we are…how chanting keeps bringing you back… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 63 - The Indie Spiritualist

The Indie Spiritualist, Chris Grosso, is our refreshing guest, and he takes us out of the deep darkness of addiction into the high light shining from the transmission of heart, via his own epiphanies with everyone from Eddie van Halen through to Trungpa Rinpoche. “Life is beautiful and disgusting both” Chris says and urges us to love all of it… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 62 - The Ecstasy of Surrender

Dr. Judith Orloff guides us through the natural, human and humane ecstasy of true surrender on the road to health and healing…going-with-the-flow style acceptance - whatever - being the true engine for freedom ...the fulfilling courage of working with what we’ve got – David and Raghu take heed… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 61 - Return to Shiva Station

Raghu and Dave gab with Jai Uttal, world music and kirtan pioneer. They introduce Jai's excellent new album "Return to Shiva Station" - also on the table, Ali Akbar Khan, Jai's musical Guru, and his exploits with the Bauls of Bengal deep in the forests near Calcutta, India. Order Jai's new album here: http://goo.gl/ThxOtA See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 60 - Accept Your Rascal

Carl Jung brilliantly interpreted by Alan Watts, wow…the value of recognizing your inner rascal and redemption “in the arms of your own kindness”…David’s personal memories of an incisive comedian and Raghu’s recollections of the 16th Karmapa... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.