Wisdom of the Sages
1,310 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 845 ratingsTruths about life from the timeless wisdom of the Bhakti-yoga tradition - fun, relevant, and deep. Learn about dharma, yoga, bhakti, and how it relates to all the basic questions of life. This show is about how to live your best life, let go of the external distractions, and uncover the spiritual happiness that lies within the heart as the true nature of the soul.
Raghunath and Kaustubha's connection goes back to their teens in the New York Hardcore Punk Scene of the early 80s, through serving together as Bhakti-yogi monks in the 90's, to sharing their experiences in the world of yoga in the 21st century.
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Episodes
1094: It's OK if We Can't Figure Everything Out
July 20, 2023 12:08 - 52 minutes - 24.1 MBBhagavatam holds us steady through life’s ups and downs / we choose our actions and Vishnu sends the karma / it’s ok if we can’t figure everything out / there’s a subtle layer imbued with false ego surrounding the universe / you can live on the sun with a fire body / Surya is the representative of Vishnu / we’re moths born in a bag of cashews SB 5.20.5
1093: Alien Perspectives of Earthly Opportunities
July 19, 2023 13:45 - 58 minutes - 26.7 MBnormalize Vedic wisdom / a short life on earth is better than billions of years in the heavens / making the best use of this earth portal / intelligent people not take no interest in places where ,the river of Krishna’s pastimes don’t flow / Krishna will purify our desires / the subtle is the solid SB 5.19.23-31
1092: Earth Is the Portal to Freedom
July 18, 2023 11:43 - 56 minutes - 25.6 MB“and so begins their journey of awakening" - Henri Bergson / choosing knowledge over the veils of ignorance / the first day of Purushottama month / keep the practices alive and mindful / proclivities are previous life practices / devotees can activate the devotion within us / Earth is the portal to freedom SB 5.19.19-21
1091: Terrorized & Flattened by Trivialities
July 17, 2023 11:37 - 52 minutes - 24.2 MB“We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.” ― Charles Bukowski / we are like moths / we become purified by remembering the holy rivers / we take birth according to our karma SB 5.19.16-19
1090: Q & A Volume 175
July 16, 2023 13:56 - 59 minutes - 27.2 MBDo you have advice for people entering marriage? / Should I give up the practice of Bhakti out of frustration? / Why do you think Krsna doesn't allow us to see Him? / With leaders growing older, how can the Krishna movement keep itself relevant to the current youth?
1089: Q & A Volume 174
July 15, 2023 13:54 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MBAs a Bhakti-yogi, can I acknowledge my feelings and still take no offense? / How to view the premature loss of a child through the lens of Bhakti?
1088: Skeleton Keys to Deeper Awareness
July 14, 2023 12:42 - 58 minutes - 26.6 MB“Awareness needs constant refreshing.” Rick Rubin / approaching the state of constant openness to receiving / our practices create space for awareness / Patanjali’s definition of practice / skeleton keys to the secret chambers of awareness / a good attitude goes a long way in Bhakti / respect to the seniors, kindness to juniors / accepting even the unfair criticism / humility as a way of opening up to learning lessons at every moment
1087: Creating the Space for Spiritual Inspiration
July 13, 2023 14:23 - 59 minutes - 27.2 MBThe value of simplicity is to open our minds for Krishna’s inspiration / Untangle the knots of revenge and anger, and control the senses to create space for Krishna / Prepare and sincerely endeavor for connection to Krishna / The joy of life is not your family or your motorcycle / Get off the superficial level and get on the self transformational level and become fearless / We don’t care if you wear a robe or get a Krishna tattoo- understand nothing is ours / Be cynical about the body or yo...
1086: The Race to Keep Up with Prabhupada with Special Guest Pradyumna Prabhu
July 12, 2023 11:30 - 51 minutes - 23.6 MBThe mind is the slayer of the real / Pleasure and pain are mental experiences / Ignorance of self is the field that kleshas and attachments grow from / Identity with the body is the genesis of illusion / Yoga practice requires surrender to God or it cultivates the ego SB 5.19.13-14
1085: Theosophy, Srila Prabhupada & the Roots of the American Yoga Movement - Interview with Pradyumna
July 11, 2023 12:03 - 58 minutes - 27 MBRaghunath talks with famed Sanskrit scholar Pradyumna Prabhu about Madame Blavatsky and other mystics, the early days in Calcutta, and the parallels among Baha'i, theosophy and bhakti yoga, and more.
1084: Vishnu is the Witness, We Get Attached
July 07, 2023 16:19 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MBOur creations are insignificant / How can we be proud when we don’t even know how to do anything? / Vaishnavas don’t take any credit / Real humility is truth - we are tiny and not in control / Consider your accomplishments from a zoomed out perspective / Give up the taste for prestige / Understand that we are made of God’s energy / Thank god for the Vedic framework / The leaves of the tree get their stability/connection from the roots / We’re manipulators not creators / Krishna is transcende...
1083: “Bhakti Fugue State” - Interview with Ananta Govinda
July 06, 2023 11:30 - 1 hour - 28.7 MBRaghu and Kaustubha interview Ananta Govinda about kirtan, creativity, becoming an instrument and the “Bhakti Fugue State”. Find out more at anantacuffee.com
1082: Revealing One’s Mind in Confidence
July 05, 2023 11:19 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MBthe necessity of revealing one’s mind in confidence / duplicity is a recipe for disaster / “Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets.“ - Ludwig van Beethoven / always striving for the deeper levels of awareness / Lord Rama is a connoisseur - he only wants pure love - material qualities such as one’s birth in an aristocratic family, personal beauty, eloquence, sharp intelligence or race or nation can’t touch His heart / the price for achieving God’s favor is simply on...
1081: Q & A Volume 173 with Sacinandana Swami
July 02, 2023 13:59 - 57 minutes - 26.3 MBWhat can I do to love and accept myself? / What is the essence of love? / How do we handle relationships with family, friends & loved ones that are not on this Bhakti path? / How can we be a good Bhakti friend? / How do people stay motivated in Bhakti without the fear of hitting rock bottom? / What journey does the soul take after leaving the body? / How did you decide to dedicate your whole life to the path of renunciation and to Krishna? / How to face my shortcomings without blaming myself...
1080: Q&A Volume 172 with Sacinandana Swami
July 01, 2023 14:18 - 56 minutes - 25.7 MBQuestions from our live audience at the Wisdom of the Sages retreat in Tuscany. How can one transform or purify subtle egoistic desires? / How do you develop compassion for someone who has hurt you? / How do you know when it’s time persevere or time to move on? / Is there an eternal place of Sri Chaitanya’s pastimes in the spiritual realm? / What are the recommended practices for Purushotama month?
1079: Bhakti Art in the Villas of Tuscany
June 30, 2023 15:34 - 56 minutes - 25.8 MBRaghu Interviews Mikele, owner of Villa Casa Vecchia and Bhakti artist Vayu, about their individual paths to Bhakti and their art collaborations. mcgart.com.au Casavecchiavillas.com
1078: The Earthquake Episode
June 28, 2023 11:50 - 52 minutes - 23.9 MBRaghunath and Kaustubha speak about love in separation and survive a Tuscan Earthquake live on the show. SB 5.19.6
1077: Art is Meant to Enlighten- Interview with the Croatian Twins
June 26, 2023 17:56 - 54 minutes - 25 MBMathurananda and his twin Velcro discuss with Raghu their hardcore backgrounds, first temple experiences, and how they bhakti-fied their careers. Check out their award winning short animated films: https://youtu.be/qe6gWsklnh0 https://vimeo.com/291661331 https://vimeo.com/28194902
1076: What Will it Take to Expand My Perception?
June 22, 2023 17:44 - 48 minutes - 22.4 MB"Every now and then a man's mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes / good qualities are measured by the character of Lord Rama / Hanuman speaks of the consciousness that facilitates perception of Lord Rama / material “happiness” is the cause of distress SB 5.19.1-5
1075: The Pursuit of Happiness is the Pursuit of Reality
June 20, 2023 12:03 - 1 hour - 28.1 MBKrishna is naturally controlled by love / the pursuit of happiness is the pursuit of reality / self realization not sense gratification / Krishna creates this world only because the conditioned souls want to enjoy it / if life seems unfair it might just be that the scoreboard is displaying a score based on previous play (karma) / expect that things won’t go smoothly SB 5.18.38-39
1074: The Quiet Mind Sees Behind the Scenes
June 19, 2023 12:18 - 53 minutes - 45 MB Videothe man who preserves his selfhood, is ever calm and unshaken by the storms of existence / Silence is the cornerstone of character / even mindedness is yoga / Bhagavad-gita, Native American Wisdom and the hundredth monkey effect / the quiet mind recognizes what’s happening behind the scenes SB 5.18.37 http://Courses.vanischool.Com/happy
1073: Q & A Volume 171
June 18, 2023 13:26 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MBDoes the soul feel, or is that just the mind/ego? / What happens to one who commits suicide and can we help?
1072: Q & A Volume 170
June 17, 2023 15:15 - 50 minutes - 23.1 MBAre my mystic interests at odds with Bhakti? / How to connect all of Krishna’s manifestations with Krishna of Vrindavan?
1071: The Search for God Within Everything
June 16, 2023 11:53 - 56 minutes - 25.8 MBBhagavatam is that friend that tells you the truth / the truth is simple - everything will crumble but we’re spiritual beings / simplify, be kind, and we will be able to read the messages life sends us / excavate the spiritual self / pluck me Krishna I’m yours / just as fire is concealed in wood, Vishnu is within everything / When one understands that the Lord is within the heart and sees Him everywhere, they have perfect knowledge / if we only we all had a wholehearted percentage meter SB...
1070: Appreciating Djokovic and Jokic
June 15, 2023 11:56 - 54 minutes - 24.9 MBappreciating the character of Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic / pass the praise like a Vaishnava / maintain humility because your position is temporary / we can become possessed by greed in a moment / can I appreciate it when others are praised / love is demonstrated through sacrifice / Vishnu is the generator and we are the lightbulbs / Vishnu is worshiped alongside the Goddess of Fortune and Mother Earth SB 5.18.34-35
1069: Richard Dawkins Has Issues
June 14, 2023 12:10 - 54 minutes - 25.1 MByou can’t find the painter by evaluating the chemical composition of the paint and canvas (but you know there is one) / if Richard Dawkins’ thoughts are developed through a random and meaningless flux of the atoms, then why are they more valid than anyone else’s thoughts? / if you’ve haven’t given up your biases you are just a so-called scientist / “the speculative research work of a so-called scientist or philosopher is always interrupted when he dies, and the laws of nature go on without r...
1068: Black Elk's 'Great Spirit' is Paramatma
June 13, 2023 12:04 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MB"when the moon is full, it is as if the Great Spirit were upon the whole world" — Black Elk / paramatma = the 3 Vishnus / even Lord Brahma is a tiny being / Lord Shiva sees like Black Elk / strive for Vasudeva consciousness - aware that Krishna is within everything and everything is within him / greed never satisfies / don’t let our mind degrade us / Lord Shiva sees like Black Elk SB 5.18.32
1067: Jesus, Black Elk & Raghunath’s Mother
June 12, 2023 14:42 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBthe Rathayatra experience / Did Jesus appear at Raghunath's birth? / Black Elk’s Paramatma realization / slow down, look at nature, reflect and consider what is beneath the surface / Vishnu is within everything and everything is within Vishnu / cupcakes are a type of medicine too / “I’m not saying I’m the anointed one….but I could be.” - Raghunath
1066: Q & A Volume 169
June 11, 2023 16:10 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MBQ & A live from the Bhakti Center's Wisdom of the Sages retreat.
1065: Dealing with Spiritual Dissatisfaction
June 10, 2023 13:37 - 56 minutes - 25.6 MBRaghunath and Kaustubha discuss dealing with spiritual dissatisfaction and how to take the next step in spiritual life.
1064: Perceiving Spiritual Form as the Origin
June 09, 2023 11:45 - 54 minutes - 25 MBKirtan mindset: don’t try to have some “experience” - just sing for Krishna’s pleasure / may the pure spiritual energy of Vrindavan be generated within our hearts / it’s our nature to love and to serve / “it's by creation's donation that you are maintained, but you'd rather turn your back” / atheistic science as intellectual bullying / can you live your philosophy? / Krishna’s prerogative isn’t whimsical, it’s all to do with the softening of the heart for divine love / inquire with deep sin...
1063: We are Tiny Sparks of Pure Spiritual Energy
June 08, 2023 11:56 - 58 minutes - 26.7 MBAnthony Hopkins wisens with age / softening the soul through the blows of fate / my goal is to reach the end in harmony with myself / it’s all a miracle / the sincere search for truth is God Consciousness in itself / Raghu as ant overlord / Richard Dawkins refuses to see the gardener / overcoming delusion to realize Krishna’s presence both externally and internally / knowing our place in the macro/micro hierarchy / it’s enough to know that we are tiny sparks of incredible pure spiritual ener...
1062: Goddess Laxmi’s Higher Perspective
June 07, 2023 12:03 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MBthe power of cow seva / Laxmi Devi shares Her higher perspective / Bhagavatam pokes at our idea of security / our predicament - a time spark of spiritual energy, trapped in and identifying with the body and mind, moving through a world programed with time, karma and the gunas / we’ve lost touch with our bliss and eternality / our live’s are like eggs on the spoon of a toddler / the heartbreak and lamentation of the material world / Bhagavatam goads us towards the higher choices SB 5.18.19-23
1061: It Takes a Scientist, a Philosopher, & a Theologian
June 06, 2023 11:49 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBBhakti culture is ready to explode / Laxmi Devi’s love for Vishnu / it gives pleasure to glorify your beloved / we’re searching for perfection in reflections of the Divine / the sass of the Gopis / God is the ultimate soulmate / it takes a Scientist a Philosopher and a Theologian to understand what’s beyond the virtual reality SB 5.18.15-18
1060: All the World's a Stage
June 02, 2023 11:37 - 54 minutes - 24.8 MBthe British scholars completely missed the beauty, sophistication and spiritual depth of the Orissan culture developed around Lord Jagannath / Raghu’s Rathayatra pastime / all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players / Shakespeare’s seven ages / play our roles as an actor, play them well, but always know that the real life is beyond the stage
1059: I Was Made for Another World
June 01, 2023 11:29 - 59 minutes - 27 MB“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis / earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy - only to suggest the real thing / earthly blessings are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage / when the living entity remains in contact with the all-pervading Vāsudeva, he manifests his spiritual power / we're like fish out of water / letting go of the bewilderment of materialistic “...
1058: Can Materialists Possess Good Qualities?
May 31, 2023 11:32 - 1 hour - 27.5 MBexcessive criticism robs us of higher cognitive power / when we hear “family life” critiqued in sacred texts, think “affection limited to one’s own family, community or nation” / 2 issues with family attachment – A. Seeing externals as our source of happiness, B. Limiting our affection to a small group / If I’m compassionate only to members of my own family, can it be said that I am truly compassionate? / the religious focus on the faults in others, the spiritual see the good and magnify i...
1057: Fascinating, Mind-Blowing Wonders Are Everywhere
May 30, 2023 11:43 - 54 minutes - 24.9 MBthere’s fascinating mind blowing wonders in every nook and cranny of existence / do we hear life’s wake-up calls, or do we just go on trying to find some enjoyment? / appreciate the architect - duh / “all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor” - Krishna / appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance / by accepting devotional service we will think of each other’s welfare SB 5.18.1-9
1056: The Persistent Illusion that We Call 'Reality'
May 29, 2023 13:34 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MB“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” - Albert Einstein / what we call reality is the level of illusion that we keep coming back to / we’re searching for reality on a Hollywood set / our choice - sense gratification or self realization / Don’t spiritual bypass Vyasadev / behind all the layers of illusion is sweet Krishna / love the root and you will love every living being / nature is nothing but a machine operated by the Supreme Person SB 5.17.21-24
1055: Q & A Volume 168
May 27, 2023 14:13 - 1 hour - 29.5 MBCan spiritual advice be spiritual bypassing? / Do the Vedic texts support gun control? / How to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? / How to practice Bhakti in a world where I need to “code-switch”? / What does a committed Bhakti practice look like for a career person?
1054: The Descent of the River Ganges
May 26, 2023 12:20 - 54 minutes - 24.7 MB“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.” ― William Blake / the Ganges originates at the feet of Lord Vishnu / every living being can purify his mind by touching it’s water / Dhruva accepts the Ganges on his head and feels devotional ecstasy / the Santa Rishis keep the water on their heads and practice Bhakti / the water flows thru the heavens / Lord ...
1053: Opening Up the Doors of Perception
May 25, 2023 11:56 - 1 hour - 27.7 MB“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Aldous Huxley / perception is the combination of our thoughts, beliefs, opinions, and awareness / what we consume creates our filters / I am an atomic particle of consciousness - Krishna is the infinite conscious entity - this world is a house of correction meant to reform my tendency to remain absent in our relationship / wear the lens of divinity / We Are Bugs, Living Under a Desk in a Ghet...
1052: Close Your Eyes & Sing to Krishna
May 24, 2023 12:01 - 59 minutes - 27 MBwhen Krishna is pleased, everyone’s pleased / we are in debt to all those who’ve selflessly loved us / treat your guests like God / Krishna saves Draupadi / in kirtan, don’t worry about pleasing the crowd - just please Krishna and everyone is pleased automatically / close your eyes and sing to Krishna / Krishna saves Kaustubha / Krishna always saves us Code: wisdomsages for 20% off vanischool.com
1051: Walk With the Knowledge That You Never Walk Alone
May 23, 2023 11:42 - 54 minutes - 24.8 MBAudrey Hepburn on beauty and poise / Bhagavad-gita on poise / real inclusivity means looking to Paramatma / find the good in others and fan that flame / gratitude vs entitlement / Bhakti waters the root of the tree / tasmin tuṣṭe jagat tuṣṭam - when Krishna is pleased, everyone is pleased / Bhakti addresses all social maladies / Bhakti satisfies all the devas / Bhakti touches both the saintly and the thugs / becoming accustomed to having our mind dwell in fundamental level thought SB 5.15....
1050: A Vision of Spiritual Leadership
May 22, 2023 11:57 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MBthere will always be people who will criticize - so just do the right thing / dial into your offering / Krishna anxiety - purchase it at any price / a leader’s first responsibility is to unite / how a leader must satisfy the citizens / how a leader satisfy women / how a leader must satisfy the earth / how a leader must satisfy the wise / how a leader must satisfy other leaders SB 5.15
1049: Q & A Volume 167
May 21, 2023 13:38 - 56 minutes - 25.7 MBHow do I gain that 100% faith / What's the relationship between vijnana and bhakti? / Can our spiritual attachments degrade back to material attachments if we are not careful of our intentions?
1048: Q & A Volume 166
May 20, 2023 14:16 - 1 hour - 28.1 MBHow to keep faith when negative emotions haunt us? / How to let go of negative habits? / How does Kaustubha organize his day?
1047: It's Life's Illusions That I Recall, I Really Don't Know Life at All
May 19, 2023 11:55 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBJoni Mitchell’s vision of duality / the ups and downs of lowercase L love / “I should’ve listened to the Swami.” / the Shakers didn’t lose (in their spiritual investment) / Joni brings the Jnana, Pete Seeger brings the Bhakti / we all feel melancholy till we turn and face “The Sun” / This world churns us / the power of Krishna’s flute / Krishna churns the hearts of the Gopis
1046: Mind Experiment: We're Ants on an Alien Ant Farm
May 18, 2023 14:04 - 55 minutes - 25.3 MBAre we was so focused on achieving that we’re missing some great point about life? / Mind Experiment: We are ants in an alien ant farm. Are we learning the lessons we’re meant to learn, or just working aimlessly? / What good is speeding if you’re heading the wrong direction? / The satisfaction of devotion makes material success and liberation seem insignificant / Bharata’s last prayer as a deer / “happiness arose out of all I didn't want or need, not all I did. - Pico Iyer SB 5.14.44-46
1045: A Little Bhakti is a Permanent Asset
May 17, 2023 11:58 - 55 minutes - 25.2 MBall material success is time bound / Bhakti is the path of Garuda, material success is the path of the flies / the depth of Bharata’s renunciation / a little devotional service rendered sincerely is a permanent asset SB 5.14.41-43