Afleveringen
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Author and speaker Eric Zimmer shares how committing to small, sustainable habits transformed his lifeâmoving him from addiction and homelessness to integrity and meaning.
Grab Ericâs book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life.
This week on Mindrolling, Eric and Raghu chat about:
Burning the house to the ground: Ericâs experience with kleptomania, addiction, and homelessness Embarking on a life-long spiritual quest and journey of self-transformationHow meditation creates more space between stimulus and responseThe opportunity to make better choices when we slow down through mindfulnessWhy lasting change is so difficult Cultivating new habits of both thought and behaviorTreating yourself as if you are a friend or childBecoming a positive force in the worldâThings that feel insurmountable now often can become almost second nature down the line." âEric Zimmer
About Eric Zimmer:
Eric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcastâan award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. At 24, Eric was homeless, addicted to heroin, and facing prison. His journey from those depths sparked his lifelong inquiry into human transformation and resilience. Through his behavior coaching, workshops, and mentorship, he has guided thousands worldwide in creating sustainable habits that lastânot through willpower or epiphany, but through steady change. His approach combines cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom, providing practical pathways to greater integrity and deeper meaning. His story and his work have been featured in the media, including TedX, Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal, the BBC and Brain Pickings. Check out his new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life.
âOne of the critiques of the modern mindfulness movement is that it divorces the practice from the ethical structures from which it evolved, which leads to âIâm just focused on me getting better and feeling better.â While thatâs an important and useful aim, itâs only half the game. The other half of the game is that it is in service of other people and being able to be a positive force in the world. We all have the ability to be a positive force in the world.â âEric Zimmer
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From her research into female spiritual role models, Writer Erica Bassani joins Raghu to discuss her new book which offers an exploration of faith, practice, and feminine power.
Grab your copy of Women in Love with the Divine or join Erica in Awakening Softness, transformational 1 on 1 sessions for rediscovering the sacredness of daily life.
This week on Mindrolling, Erica and Raghu have a conversation on:
Honoring femininity and presence through the wisdom of modern female spiritual teachersEricaâs inspiration from her fatherâs spirituality and her year-long monastery stay at 19 years old.Gratitude practice towards the divine mother and our own mothers Considering how the wisdom of women may differ from the wisdom of menThe extraordinary warmth and compassion of Garchen RinpocheMoving away from one-dimensional ways of overcoming conflictEntering into feminine gentleness and finding our power within ourselvesHow transcending the ego can actually become spiritual bypassingBecoming present when we start to doubt the existence of GodCultivating inner peace as our individual contribution to the chaos of the worldâI started writing it 3 years ago from a need of meeting living women who dedicate their life to the divine. I really needed in that time of my life, I was going through personal crisis and spiritual crisis, I realized all my teachers had been men. Which, I am very grateful to them, but at that point I started really needing female role models, the examples of women who are today in this world doing the spiritual life." âErica Bassani
About Erica Bassani:
Erica Bassani is a writer based in Italy. A graduate of the Academy of Storytelling in Turin, she spent a year living in a Theravadan Buddhist monastery at the age of 23. Since then, she has turned to female spiritual teachers from diverse traditions to help her navigate her inner journey. She created the Women Awakening Projectâan initiative that highlights the wisdom of female spiritual role models and explores spiritual practice through the lens of womenâs experiencesâto share their wisdom and create a bridge between generations of seekers. Bassani is author of Donne che Esplorano il Divino, co-author (with Massimo Bonomelli) of Va Bene CosĂŹ, and the Italian translator of The Four Noble Truths of Love by Susan Piver.
âWomen didnât follow their own way of coming to power. They followed more the masculine way, the patriarchal way of getting to power. This, of course, creates a very weird shift inside. It creates suffering ultimately because of a disconnection with where actually is the source of power in us, especially as women, and possibly for men as well. The source of power can be in the heart, can be more embodied and exclusive, more aware of the different parts of the situation instead of this focused way which cuts out many other things, it's a more gentler way.â âErica Bassani
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Author, journalist, and co-founder of DoubleBlind, Madison Margolin, joins Raghu to explore her latest project: creating a roadmap to tripping, microdosing, and beyond.
Grab your copy of The DoubleBlind Guide to Psychedelics
In this episode, Madison and Raghu step into the world of:
Emerging theories of Ibogaine use in Parkinson's treatment Defining âpsychedelicsâ and Dr. Ben Malcomâs (aka The Spirit Pharmacist) view on psychedelic & somatic awarenessWhat the clinical world can take away from indigenous plant medicine ritualsRam Dassâs journey from psychedelic research to spirituality Spiritual seekers: from India to South America How regular practice helps us connect to deeper layers of realityFeeling beyond time and space Punctuating psychedelic experiences with spiritual practiceAltered states in the history of Judaism Psychedelics for war zones, trauma, and religious leadersAccessing your set, setting, and mental health dispositionsâDoing psychedelics under the stewardship of an indigenous culture is equally legitimate to doing it in a clinical context, and itâs also legitimate to do it at a Grateful Dead show. What I really want to get at is that the way the tribes or indigenous cultures regard these medicines is through community, song, prayer, connection to nature, reciprocity, those are all values that even the clinical world can borrow and emulate as they design their trials." âMadison Margolin
About Madison Margolin:
Madison is an author and journalist who straddles California, New York, and the Israel-Palestine region, with a focus on psychedelics, cannabis, and Judaism â jokingly referring to it as âJews & Drugs.â Her reporting also spans culture, policy, and science. At the center of her work is a sustained curiosity about how people transcend the mind to access something larger than themselves, whether through psychedelics, spirituality, meditation, art, or somatic practice. Much of her writing explores the different ways people nourish the soul. Madison is the co-founder of DoubleBlind, the print and digital magazine that covers psychedelics and their intersections with mental health, spirituality, environmental justice, and social equity. She also co-founded the Jewish Psychedelic Summit and hosts the podcast Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network. She has worked in journalism since 2014, with bylines in outlets including Rolling Stone, Vice Media, Playboy, High Times, Tablet Magazine, and Nylon.
She began her journalism career with a cannabis column at The Village Voice shortly after graduating from Columbia Journalism School. Before that, she lived in Tel Aviv, where she worked with Israelâs African refugee community. Earlier in her life, she lived at the Cloyne co-op while studying rhetoric and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley.
She is a language enthusiast who speaks or dabbles in French, Russian, Yiddish, and Hebrew. Outside of work and writing, she is usually dancing, spinning a hula hoop, or practicing yoga.
Madison Margolin is also the author of Exile and Ecstacy, a book on Growing Up with Ram Dass and Coming of Age in the Jewish Psychedelic Underground. Learn more about Madisonâs work at madisonmargolin.com
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Exploring the healing power of prayer and belief, Dr. Joshua Brown interweaves cognitive neuroscience with faith-based experiences.
Preorder a copy of Joshuaâs book, Proving a Miracle, HERE.
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Joshua explore:
Joshuaâs fascination with the brain as a machine How a medical crisis shifted Joshuaâs life path The impact of the spiritual on our physical selves Living between the worlds of neuroscience and faithHow we form beliefs and how those beliefs affect our healthThe power of community and seeking out unique experiencesJoshuaâs own experience witnessing miracles Choosing hope and accepting the risk of disappointment How Artificial Intelligence is trained through predictionsAbout Joshua Brown, PhD:
Dr. Joshua W. Brown is a professor of Psychological and Brain Science at Indiana University, where he directs the Cognitive Control Lab. He also co-founded the Global Medical Research Institute. With decades of experience in computational neuroscience and over 79 peer-reviewed publications, he brings the same rigorous scientific methodology to extraordinary claims of healing that he applies to understanding the brain. His book, Proving a Miracle, will be released on May 12th of 2026.
âPractically, you are what you eat, and your beliefs reflect the experiences that you have. If you want to develop more nuanced beliefs in a certain direction, you have to immerse yourself in experiences that match those beliefs.â âJoshua Brown
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Drawing from decades of Buddhist practice and lived experience, Lodro Rinzler helps listeners overcome self-doubt and reconnect with their inherent goodness.
Grab a copy of Lodro Rinzlerâs recently released book, You Are Good, You Are Enough.
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Lodro explore:
Keeping an open mind towards all wisdom traditions Lessons from Tibetan master Khandro RinpocheHaving gratitude for obstacles and challenges Recognizing where seeds of doubt have been planted in our livesThe insidious inner voice that tries to convince us we are not complete as isGetting in touch with our awakened natureHow doubt can actually manifest as arrogance (I know better than to trust these people, these things)Capitalism and how industries make money off the idea that we are not okayLearning to love ourselves unconditionallyGrappling with the fact that every human being has inherent, basic goodnessThe gift of offering another our undivided attentionAbout Lodro Rinzler:
Lodro Rinzler is a Buddhist meditation teacher and award-winning author of 7 books, including the bestseller The Buddha Walks Into A Bar, and Take Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times. He is co-founder of MNDFL Meditation studios in NYC, and was named one of â50 Innovators Shaping the Future of Wellnessâ by SONIMA. Rinzlerâs work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Good Morning America, CBS, and NBC. He has taught meditation for 20 years in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and has spoken across the world at conferences, universities, Google, Harvard, and the White House. Lodro resides in the Hudson Valley with his wife and their four-legged family of animals. More at LodroRinzler.com
âThe world is on fire, itâs troubling times. I think if we start to recognize basic goodness in one another, then it will really transform the world.â âLodro Rinzler
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Exploring her âNo-BSâ approach to yoga and mindfulness, Oneika Mays joins Raghu Markus to discuss the amazing things that happen when we sit down and get in tune with ourselves.
Grab a copy of Oneikaâs recently released book, Sit with Me
In this episode, Raghu and Oneika chat about:
The false sense of protection that comes from building emotional walls Grief and coping with the sense that things are unfinished Finding oneself over and over again through yoga and mindfulness practice Noticing internal sensations, emotions, desires, and beyond on the yoga matOneikaâs transformative work in the prison system and learning to appreciate the concept of seva (service)Looking deeply into our sense of resistance Love as a strength rather than a weaknessRam Dassâs practice of loving awareness and getting excited about the power of loveA prayer for all beings to be happy and freeHealing and restoration rather than punishment and incarcerationAbout Oneika Mays:
Oneika Mays, she/her, LMT, E-RYT, is a multi-hyphenate facilitator who leads with joy, passion, and wisdom. She is a grounded leader with lived experience that centers on mindfulness and transformation. She brings a poignant lens to building a world that is more compassionate and understanding. With deep roots and knowledge in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika delivers practical application and authentic connection through her facilitation skills. With openness and vulnerability, she facilitates the space to talk about change and embrace every part of ourselves. Check out Oneikaâs recently released book, Sit with Me, and learn more about her on her website.
âItâs me, inside out and connecting to the world rather than pushing back against something. It was one of the first times I felt like love wasnât a weakness, but instead gave me strength to show up fully.â âOneika Mays
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With loving remembrance for Raghuâs nephew, Shiva Baum, Mindrolling presents this 2014 rerelease, in which Shiva, Raghu, and David Silver explore how music shapes an era, from the wild sixties to the weird now.
Please consider supporting Shivaâs family via GoFundMe. Funds raised will go toward cremation and memorial expenses, immediate living and housing costs, and ongoing support as Radha and Mohan navigate life after his passing. Learn more: Supporting Shiva Baum And His Family
In this episode, Raghu, Shiva, and David discuss:
The magic of Bruce Springsteen and the collective heart that he createsHow changes in music signify the shift of an era How Neil Youngâs song Sugar Mountain shaped Shivaâs conscious relationship to musicThe divine consciousness that was active in popular music throughout the 60âs, 70âs, 80âs, and 90âsVoting for a higher consciousness in politics How the internet and being hyper-aware of global tragedies can be overwhelming Shiva and Raghuâs work with Triloka Records involves producing fusion world musicShivaâs work with musician Clark Graham and the creation of âThe Way Things WereâAbout Shiva Baum:
Aside from being Raghuâs beloved nephew, Shiva Baum was a record producer and peak performance coach. With expertise in sacred mantra chanting, Shiva was the head of music programming for the world-renowned yoga music festivals Bhakti Fest and Shakti Fest.
âWhatâs going on with us being more connected, weâve absolutely voluntarily given up our privacy, we see atrocities all over the world and itâs so overwhelming that almost the form of activism is to tune it out...it does set the scene for a movement to transpire, certainly brilliant art in literature, music, and cinema. I think weâre still waiting to see the explosion. I hope it comes this decade, it might not come till next decade, but something is going on.â âShiva Baum
About David Silver:
David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silverâs #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, âThe Compleat Beatlesâ is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about historyâs most famous band. The term ârockumentaryâ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a âmasterwork.â Silverâs Warner Brothersâ feature film, âNo Nukesâ also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries.
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Discussing the inspiration behind her upcoming album, Bhumi Devi, Nina Rao and Raghu Markus explore preserving the planet and devotion to the sacred mother.
Support the pre-sale of Bhumi Devi with exclusive reward levels on Kickstarter until June 2. Click here for more information.
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Nina chat about:
Moderating our consumption and doing our best to heal the earthNinaâs work in preserving wilderness areasWisely receiving gifts from Mother Earth while preserving uncorrupted landsThe unconditional love and presence that resonates through Maharaj-jiThe reciprocal relationship we have with the divineWhen Nina met Siddhi Ma, and seeing her as merged with Maharaj-jiThe first time Nina chanted for Siddhi MaSatsang: connecting with Maharaj-ji through communityPrayers to the Goddess in Ninaâs new album, Bhumi DeviConnect with Nina Rao this Summer at the Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat! Learn more HERE.
About Nina Rao:
Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, âAntarayaami â Knower of All Heartsâ and âAnubhavâ. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Together with Chandra and Genevieve Walker, Nina operates the 21 Taras Collective. You can keep up with Nina on her website or find her on Instagram @nina_rao and on Facebook @NinaRaoChant.
âEven if weâve never met Maharaj-ji, we understand presence, we understand sacred divine presence that holds love, peace, equanimity, understanding, a place where you feel free on some level. That happened to me as a child, chanting to my grandpa, living close to the earth, engaging in ritual, and creating a space where we can offer gratitude.â âNina Rao
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Interfaith peace counselor Patrick McCollum and documentary filmmaker Gabe Polsky share the powerful prophecy that united the Amazon and led to making their film, The Man Who Saves the World?
Click here to find screenings of The Man Who Saves the World? near you.
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu speaks with his guests, Gabe and Patrick, about:
The origin story behind The Man Who Saves the World? and the real-life journey that inspired the filmHow diverse Amazonian tribes are connected through shared spiritual practices and plant communicationThe meaning of the Roxa Prophecy and why the Amazon is considered the âheart of the worldâEfforts to unite the Amazonian tribes to save the rainforest and its inhabitants Our universal journey to understand reality and our purpose in lifeHow psychedelics, indigenous wisdom, and other spiritual pursuits open doors to new perspectivesBursting the bubble of our constructed reality Patrickâs work as a bridge between âthe people of the concreteâ (modern society) and the indigenousAbout Patrick McCollum:
Patrick McCollum ââis an interfaith chaplain, spiritual mentor, and peace counselor. Patrick was inspired by the Great Mother to promote a sacred universal vision that respects religious and cultural diversity and advances pluralism. As a dedicated peacemaker, Patrick brings forth a well-timed meta-narrative of universal magnitude that is alerting the world of the sacredness of all beings. Patrick is the founder and president of The McCollum Foundation for Peace, which aims to discover and implement positive, workable, and sustainable strategies that create local and global change and peace in all areas of life.
âTheir ancient story said that one day, thousands of years later, the Amazon would be in trouble. It would be burning, the water would be poisoned, and the indigenous people and their wisdom would be wiped out. When that happened, the creator would send the spirit of Roxa into a man or woman, and that person would unite all of the indigenous people of the Amazon and help them create a strategy to save the heart of the world.â âPatrick McCollum
About Gabe Polsky:
Gabe Polsky is a filmmaker, director, producer, and writer best known for the documentaries Red Army (2014) and In Search of Greatness (2018). Known for pushing the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, Gabe Polsky has built a reputation for uncovering stories that challenge perception, provoke thought, and entertain. His work has premiered at major international festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival.
âAfter eight years of pursuit from these tribes, he agreed to try and unfold this prophecy. I learned about this, and I got caught up in this story as well, following Patrick down to the Amazon to try and fulfill this prophecy. Itâs this wild spiritual adventure, very funny, very strange, itâs a film that has a lot of deep meaning.â âGabe Polsky
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Dr. Phil Wolfson offers his seasoned perspective on psychedelics, ketamine assisted therapy, and more in this expansive talk with Raghu Markus and Gagan Levy.
Check out these FREE personal & clinical guidelines for use from the Ketamine Research Foundation
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu, Phil, and Gagan discuss:
How psychedelics shaped Philâs worldview in the 1960s and inspired his commitment to social justiceUsing psychedelics as tools for personal growth, healing, and transformationThe importance of set and setting when taking psychedelics recreationally, therapeutically, or ceremoniously Going beyond the ups and downs of psychedelics and finding steady peace through practiceThe persistent anti-depressant effects of Ketamine and its therapeutic promisePhilâs ongoing studies with the Ketamine Research Foundation for phantom limb pain, end-of-life care, and menstrual cycle disordersMind Manifesting: What exactly happens to the brain on psychedelics?Philâs âbottom lineâ: positive intentions and practical guidelines for Ketamine useAbout Dr. Phil Wolfson:
Phil Wolfson MD was Principal Investigator for the MAPS sponsored Phase 2, FDA approved 18-person study of MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for individuals with significant anxiety due to life threatening illnesses. His clinical practice with ketamine has informed his leadership role in the development of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Philâs book, The Ketamine Papers, has been published by MAPS and is the seminal work in the burgeoning ketamine arena.
Phil is a sixties activist, psychiatrist/psychotherapist, writer, practicing Buddhist and psychonaut who has lived in the Bay Area for 38 years. He is the author of Noe: A Father/Son Song of Love, Life, Illness and Death (2011, North Atlantic Books). He has been awarded five patents for unique herbal medicines. He is a journalist and author of numerous articles on politics, transformation, psychedelics, consciousness and spirit, and was a founding member of the Heffter Research Institute. Phil has taught in the graduate psychology programs at JFK University, CIIS and the UCSF School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Phil is the founder and CEO of the Ketamine Research Foundation and is committed to making the organization a vibrant contributor to the betterment of human beings through psychedelic psychotherapy.
"The work needs to be thought of not as a single episode, but as a therapy. Psychedelic psychotherapy is much quicker than conventional psychotherapy for many reasons, but it needs to have a follow-up, continuation, integration, and work with someone to be effective. That's not to say ketamine on its own doesn't have value, it does." â Dr. Phil Wolfson
About Gagan Levy:
Gagan Levy is the Founder/CEO of Guru, an award-winning creative agency dedicated to serving purpose-driven movements, brands, and organizations. They work with impactful brands like Patagonia, Traditional Medicinals, Nalgene, Non-GMO, The Organic Alliance, Bring Change to Mind and many natural products brands, including EO / Everyone Products, OM Mushroom Superfoods, and REBBL. Gagan also serves as Chief Evangelist at MAHA Global, a platform focused on helping businesses adapt to stakeholder needs using data-driven reputation intelligence. As former Co-chair of Social Venture Circle, one of the countryâs most prestigious impact investor and social business communities, Gagan leads the way to a next economy that is regenerative, just, and prosperous for all. Gagan Levy is also a current board member to his prolific teacher Ram Dassâ Love Serve Remember Foundation, he has been instrumental in strategizing how to connect the greatest wisdom keepers of our time to a new generation.
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In this rich conversation bridging Zen and Jewish mysticism, Rabbi Rami Shapiro and Raghu Markus navigate nonduality, the shadow, and the living experience of the divine.
Grab a copy of Rabbi Ramiâs newest book, Zen Mind Jewish Mind, HERE
This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Rabbi Rami discuss:
Veering off from traditional Judaism and into Jewish mysticism Nondual awareness as the realm of divine consciousnessGoing beyond the dead word and into the living wordInspiration from Shunryu Suzuki Roshiâs classic Zen Mind, Beginnerâs Mind and Thich Nhat Hanhâs series on How to LiveKoan: the Zen practice of exhausting the logical mind to provoke direct, intuitive insight into reality and one's own natureRecognizing our own shadow rather than pretending it does not exist Holding multiple truths at once: there is no other, we are all part of a whole, and we do have differencesHow the Kabbalah expresses the name of God in an embodied waySeeing the divine in all humans and everything in front of usSpecial moments with Ram Dass, accepting silence and accepting the moment for what it isAbout Rabbi Rami Shapiro:
Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award-winning author of over two dozen books on religion and spirituality. He received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College: Jewish Institute of Religion, and holds a PH.D. from Union Graduate School. A congregational rabbi for 20 years, Rabbi Rami currently coâdirects One River Wisdom School, blogs at r writes the foundationâs newsletter, Ask Rabbi Rami, and hosts the foundationâs podcast, Explore Spirituality with Rabbi Rami. Rami is also a contributing editor for Spirituality+Health magazine www.spiritualityhealth.com where he writes the advice column Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler. Rami can be reached at https://www.threads.net/@rabbirami
"The Jewish meditation practices, the spirituality within Judaism, never or at least rarely gets beyond or slips into the nondual to the extent that you drop the labels, that you drop the tribal. You get Saint Paul saying there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, in Christ. To me, that's Christ consciousness, that's Buddha mind. When you reach that level of consciousness, all the labels fall away, your sense of separate self is gone.â âRabbi Rami Shapiro
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Dakota Wint meets Raghu beyond the veil of normal perception to explore mysticism, altered states, and the fringe of spirituality.
Subscribe to Dakotaâs new series, The Flower Heads Show, on your favorite podcast app.
This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Dakota explore:
The Aghori people of India and the side of Hinduism a lot of people don't know aboutDr. Robert Svobodaâs trilogy on the Aghori people: At the Left Hand of GodDifferentiating real prayer from performative ritualsFaith and seeing beyond the veil of our normal perception Considering the limits of spirituality and how it is expressed across culturesDissolving polarities and seeing the universality of all beingsTaking wisdom from Ram Dass through his posthumous book, There is No OtherRealizing that wisdom and spirituality does not require travel or psychedelicsDakotaâs experience with plant medicine in the Amazonian jungleFaith and remembering the mystery in day-to-day lifeThe eternal light of the Sadhu and reaching enlightened states without substancesYou can find Dakotaâs documentary, Aghori: Holy Men Of The Dead, free on YouTube: Click Here To Watch
About Dakota Wint:
Dakota Wint is a documentary filmmaker, vlogger, podcast host, and spiritual teacher from Detroit, Michigan. His films and podcasts revolve around current events, strange spirituality, and taboo traditions. You can subscribe to his podcast, A Place for Humans, HERE. Dakota grew to fame as an internet personality via his popular YouTube channel, Dakota of Earth. Dakota hosts retreats around the world and runs a non-profit focused on cultural and language preservation. Learn more about current happenings on his website
âI am just trying to figure out what spirituality is, what the limits of it are, how it expresses itself, are we all talking about the same thing, what can you show me? I go to these places that have these big practices. What do you have to offer? Especially in India, where all these gurus make these big claims, what can you show me? That's what I've been asking myself and anyone I meet.â âDakota Wint
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From Tibetan Buddhism to Bhakti Yoga, Raghu and author Vincent Thibault explore reshaping the mind in our chaotic world.
Grab a copy of Vincentâs book: Overflow: A Buddhist Guide to Recovering Sanity in the Age of Information Overload | Vincent Thibault
This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Vincent journey through:
Vincentâs early exposure to literature and the roots of his interest in Eastern philosophy and contemplative traditionsNavigating digital overwhelm and content overload in the modern ageHow busyness and productivity culture can numb us to collective sufferingParkour: a physical, artistic, and spiritually metaphorical discipline Suffering as a path to transformation and a deeper connection with GodDrawing connections across many different wisdom traditionsPositive attachment versus attachment that traps usThose who inspire the trust of our own pure mindsTibetan Buddhist traditions and the value of learning from multiple teachersRaghuâs lineage of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotionThe Tibetan translation of devotion: interested humilityTraining the mind, training the heart, and learning to relate to both inner and outer phenomenaLearn more about Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche HERE and check out his book on karma
About Vincent Thibault:
A man of ideas and actions, an amazed traveller, and a defender of what could be called lucid optimism, Vincent Thibault is a Quebec writer and screenwriter. Vincentâs writing takes on many forms, including fantasy, psychological or adventure novels, comic or dramatic scenarios, travel stories, literary short stories, philosophical essays, and translations of Buddhist texts. While his work is incredibly diverse, it revolves around the same key themes: integrity, the quest for wisdom, the relationship to uncertainty, the reconciliation between tradition and modernity, and the power of benevolence in a noisy and busy world.
Check out more of Vincentâs writing on his website which includes both a French and English section. You can also keep up with Vincent on Facebook.
âBe it just on the cushion for a few minutes a day, if you find a way to make that switch and see difficulties as opportunities, then you can slowly learn to turn everything into the path of enlightenment.â âVincent Thibault
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Continuing their discussion on Tibetan Buddhism and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's lineage, David Silver and Raghu Markus chat about carrying forward the wisdom of great masters.
Check out part 1 of this conversation on Ep. 627 of the Mindrolling Podcast and grab a copy of Tulku Urgyen Rinpocheâs memoirs, Blazing Splendor, for a deeper look into his magnificent life.
In this episode, Raghu and David chat about:
Being guided toward unconditional love, selflessness, and devotion to the Divine MotherThe role of lineage holders and treasure revealers in Tibetan BuddhismTulku Urgyenâs unique style of teachingDeep humility as an essential spiritual practiceHow âbeing here nowâ becomes a gateway to embodied wisdomReleasing skepticism and misunderstanding around the concept of a guruHonoring great spiritual masters and transmitting their wisdom across generationsThe powerful film, Tibet: Cry of the Snow LionReaching a state of deathlessness and timeless awarenessStarting our day with compassion for ourselves and othersâAs soon as I wake up in the morning, I remind myself that nothing exists as it appears. Then I think about sentient beings who want happiness, but experience suffering. I generate compassion for them, determined to help them as much as I can to eliminate their negative emotions.â âThe Dalai Lama
About David Silver:
David Silver is the former co-host of the Mindrolling podcast. He is a filmmaker and director, most recently coming out with Brilliant Disguise. Brilliant Disguise tells the unique story of a group of inspired Western spiritual seekers from the 60s, who in meeting the great American teacher, Ram Dass, followed him to India to meet his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, familiarly known as Maharaj-ji. Two days before he left his body, Maharaj-ji instructed K.C. Tewari to take care of the Westerners, which he did resolutely until the day he died in 1997. Silverâs #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, âThe Compleat Beatlesâ is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about historyâs most famous band. The term ârockumentaryâ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a âmasterwork.â Silverâs Warner Brothersâ feature film, âNo Nukesâ also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries.
ââBe Here Nowâ is not only Ram Dassâs precept of just be in the present, itâs saying, âBe here now, and youâre everywhere. Be here now, and youâre in wisdom.â If youâre not here now, youâre veering away from wisdom.â â David Silver
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Tracing her path from sharp-minded scholar to seasoned devotee, Mirabai Bush shares intimate stories of her personal evolution and enduring devotion to Maharaj-ji.
Check out Mirabai's latest book, Almost Home: Dharma, Social Change, and the Power of Love
In this episode, Raghu and Mirabai chat about:
Mirabaiâs leap of faith: leaving her PhD program, going to India, and becoming a devotee of Maharaj-jiThe mystery of timing and how a single moment can quietly change the course of a lifeA silent meditation retreat that unexpectedly prepared Mirabai to meet Maharaj-jiHow one moment with Maharaj-ji expanded Mirabaiâs sense of being alive and transformed her inner worldSurrendering control: how Maharaj-ji taught Ram Dass to release the need to manage realityThe sacred symbolism and devotional practice of touching a guruâs feetThe miracle of childbirth and Mirabaiâs profound experiences with home birthCheck out Mirabaiâs archived podcast series on the Be Here Now Network.
About Mirabai Bush:
In addition to being one of Love Serve Remember Foundationâs respected board members, Mirabai Bush is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba and spent time with him in India from 1971 to 1972. Along with Ram Dass, she is the co-author of Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service and Walking Each Other Home. Mirabai is Senior Fellow and founder of the Center on Contemplative Mind in Society, which encourages contemplative practice and perspective in American life in order to create a more just, compassionate and reflective society. Mirabai has also worked with Google on a workplace course called âSearch Inside Yourselfâ and with the US Army on a program for chaplains and medics. She is editor of Contemplation Nation: How Ancient Practices are Changing the Way We Live, co-author of Contemplative Practices in Higher Education: Powerful Methods To Transform Teaching and Learning, and author of Working with Mindfulness. Keep up with Mirabai on her website and donât forget to grab her latest book, Almost Home.
âI just fell down at his feet. I never thought I would bow to a guru, but it wasnât a decision; I was just there. In those first moments, he just expanded my sense of what it could mean to be human, to be on this planet. There is so much more to it than I had thought.â âMirabai Bush
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Raghu Markus is joined by Michael Leach, the first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of the White House, for a conversation on how to have faith over fear in the face of uncertainty.
Grab a copy of Michaelâs book, Faith Over Fear, to learn more about harnessing your own resilience.
In this episode, Raghu and Michael take a journey through:
Closing the gap between faith and fearSeeing faith as an action rather than a feeling How freedom comes when we loosen our grip on ego, fear, and identitySurrender and choosing presence even when outcomes are unclearThe book The First 90 Days and what culture truly meansMichaelâs time working in the White House with the Biden-Harris administrationThe meaningful pivot from our preference to our purposeEnduring and adapting through the many changes we face socially, politically, and personally Breaking down the wall between âusâ and âthemâ, taking inspiration from Ram Dassâs There Is No OtherGiving ourselves âthe fear testâ and looking inward before we judge another personConsidering the cost of unity and choosing listening over labelingForming ourselves so that we are not driven by fearâWhatever you're not changing youâre choosing, but here's the truth about change: it's not secured in a single election or moment of triumph. Democracy is an ongoing experiment, constantly tested by shifts in power, societal challenges, and the choices we make to protect (or erode) progress. It's not about ensuring nothing changes when you leave, it's about ensuring that what truly matters can endure when everything does. The key is not permanence, it's resilienceâ âMichael Leach
About Michael Leach:
Michael is a nationally respected strategic advisor, public sector leader, and culture builder whose career spans the NFL, national politics, and the White House. He currently serves as CEO & Co-Founder of BridgeTrust Partners, an advisory firm specializing in leadership development, inclusive strategy, and transformative partnerships across industriesâfrom sports and healthcare to tech, media, and government.
Michael began his professional journey in the National Football League, serving as Assistant to the Head Coach of the Chicago Bears and later managing Labor Relations at NFL Headquarters, where he played a key role in administering and enforcing the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement. In 2019, he was appointed Chief People Officer and Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the Biden-Harris campaign, helping build the most diverse general election team in U.S. history. He later became the first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the White House, serving as Special Assistant to the President. Michael is also now an author! Faith Over Fear, a book on resilience and faith in uncertain times, was released in February 2026.
Reach out to Michael via his website, where you can find his social media and contact information as well as learn more about his speaking engagements, career coaching, and more.
âIt's really through our surrendering that God does his establishing. God is unable to establish if we don't surrender. If your hands are closed and someone is trying to give you a gift, it's going to be really hard to receive that gift if you don't first open your hands. That's literally the nature of faith. I first have to release what's in my hand in order for God to release what's in his hand.â âMichael Leach
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In a world shaped by collective crisis, Raghu Markus and Dr. Thomas HĂŒbl come together to explore inner connection and healing trauma.
Interested in learning more about trauma? Grab a copy of Releasing Our Burdens, Thomasâs co-authored book with systemic family therapist Dr. Richard Schwartz, HERE
This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Thomas discuss:
Thomasâs early call to meditation, spirituality, and a life of serviceLiving within a global ecosystem shaped by overlapping crisis dynamicsReturning to ourselves when we are overwhelmed by fear and painUnderstanding how trauma shuts down parts of the self as a survival responseExamining the lasting effects of trauma on both the mind and bodyThe genetic transmission of trauma across generationsThe role of restorative practices in healing trauma and reversing symptomsDigesting trauma instead of becoming stuck in survival patternsCultivating compassion, patience, and trust in the healing processThe power of presence as a foundation for trauma recoveryHow healing even one part of the self creates fertile ground for deeper integrationSpiritual trauma and how it creates a misalignment within our inner and outer livesSupporting one another in reconnecting with our most powerful resource: inner connectionAbout Thomas HĂŒbl PhD:
Thomas HĂŒbl, PhD, is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change, integrating the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. Since the early 2000s, he has led large-scale events and courses on the healing of collective trauma. HĂŒbl is the author of Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Traumaâand Our World, and Healing Collective Trauma: A Process for Integrating Our Intergenerational and Cultural Wounds. He is also the co-author of Releasing Our Burdens with Dr. Richard Schwartz. HĂŒbl has served as an advisor and guest faculty for universities and organizations, as a coach for CEOs and organizational leaders, and is currently a visiting scholar at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. Keep up with HĂŒblâs upcoming events and livestreams HERE. You can also follow Thomas on Instagram!
âWhat does trauma do? It shuts down a part of ourselves so that we can survive or go through very painful moments better. But the aftereffect, if itâs not being taken care of, is a sense of disconnect from ourselves. So, then we try to fill that hole with all kinds of other stuff that is not authentic to us, that is over consumerism, that is not feeding each other, that is creating all kinds of side effects.â âThomas HĂŒbl, PhD
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Author & human rights lawyer Anu Gupta sits down with Raghu to explore meeting division with âsoul forceââthe compassionate, spiritual power that lives within us all.
Learn more about Anuâs project, Soul Force for the 21st Century
This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Anu have an in-depth conversation on:
The precipice of our karma and how past negative actions are coming to a head globallyAnuâs recent work in South Africa with racial healing and dissolving bordersHow Artificial Intelligence lacks ethics and moral virtuesResisting commodification and profit-driven systems through awareness and conscious choiceHow modern society has dulled our innate human capacity to careReturning to our shared primary identity as human beings rather than focusing on what makes us differentBuddhist teachings on interconnectedness and the illusion of separateness Meditation as an antidote for the negative habits that we have stored within ourselvesNavigating Kali Yuga with Bhakti yoga and merging with the divine Finding the divinity in every single human beingKeeping the faith and remembering that uncertainty does not have to be dangerous How small acts of kindness can add up to global changeThe PRISM acronym that Anu discusses in his book, Breaking BiasâRecognize that everything that happens is perfectly designed to open up your eyes, your mind, your heart, to one thing or another that you need in this lifetime.â âRaghu Markus
About Anu Gupta:
Anu Gupta is a human rights lawyer, scientist, scholar of bias, meditation teacher, and the founder and CEO of BE MORE with Anu, a professional development company that trains corporate, nonprofit, and government leaders to advance inclusion and wellness by breaking bias. He is also the author of Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them(2024), with a foreword from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Check out Anu Gupta on Substack, Linked in, and Instagram.
Interested in working directly with Anu? Head over to Bemorewithanu.com to learn more.
âItâs really a spiritual power that we all have as human beings, as a spirit in this body suit; it's the loving strength of will to confront injustice and violence without mirroring. That is what we must reinvigorate within ourselves, but also between ourselves. That soul force, to see it with kindness and compassion and when we divert from it, to be able to call ourselves and others back on that path.â âAnu Gupta
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Reflecting on Ram Dassâs core teachings, Hanuman Dass and Raghu Markus discuss the immense power of love, service, and compassion.
Check out There is No Other for more of Ram Dassâs teachings on the path to harmony. Also, stay tuned for the release of Hanuman Dassâs forthcoming book Be Yourself, formed out of his conversations with Ram Dass.
This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Hanuman Dass have a conversation on:
Hanuman Dassâs experience growing up in a deeply connected, matriarchal family Living spirituality in everyday life, household puja, and devotional practicesHow karma dictates our lives and puts us right where we are supposed to beHanuman Dassâs relationship with Ram Dass and becoming inspired to serve through food donationThe Upanishads, self-inquiry, and Ram Dassâs perpetual devotion to Maharaj-jiCompassion as the direct road to enlightenmentEmpowering those we help rather than impoverishing them or pitying themReflecting on the dharma of humanity and our shared responsibility to one anotherYou can now watch Bridge of Grace to learn more about KK Sah, a Maharaj-ji devotee and close friend of Ram Dass. Click here to learn more.
About Hanuman Dass:
Hanuman Dass is the founder of the UK-based charity Go Dharmic (GD). GDâs core mission is global hunger relief, supported by their humanitarian crisis response work and campaigns for environmental action, poverty alleviation, education, and plant-based and organic diets. Hanuman Dass was inspired into service through his relationship with Ram Dass, whom he met in his 20âs. GD's founding ethos is based on the philosophy of Sanatana Dharma. Their mission is to âLove All. Feed All. Serve All.â Check out the GD website for more information and stay in touch with Hanuman Dass on social media. Pick up a copy of this guide to the Hanuman Chalisa created with Hanuman Dass
âI feel lightest here, I feel happiest in service and loveâŠdrink is nice, you go up and down. Drugs might be nice, you go up and down. But, love is forever, you can stay in that space.â âHanuman Dass
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This week, we pause to remember the life, presence, and artistry of a friend of the show who will be deeply missed.
Recorded in 2021, this conversation features Grammy-winning artist John FortĂ© in his first appearance on the podcast. John and Raghu talk about the spirit of music, the highs and lows of success, and Johnâs experience headlining the Ram Dass Soul Land Music Series.
John FortĂ© (January 30, 1975 â January 12, 2026) is survived by his wife and two children. If youâd like to offer support, a donation link is available here: Honoring John Forte by Supporting His Family
This special episode features an inspired conversation on:
Community as the spirit of music: John FortĂ©âs Brooklyn upbringing in the economic downturns of the 70s and 80sThe emotional, mental, and physical hardships of struggling to get by in an underserved communityPerseverance through love: Johnâs inspiration for his musical careerJohnâs highest highs, lowest lows, & what it is like to start over Johnâs friendship with the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill, linking up with The Fugees, and their co-creation of a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum record, The ScoreJohn's stint in prison, where in his cell, his refuge and musical rebirth came in the form of an acoustic guitarMusic as internal alchemy and Ram Dassâs influence on Johnâs song Gong Guru from his album Riddem DriveVenturing further into spirituality: Johnâs deep affinity for wisdom teachers like Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, and Abraham HicksListen to Johnâs other visit to the Mindrolling Podcast on Ep. 405 and a conversation about resonance, integration & catharsis on this special Ram Dass Fellowship with host, Jackie Dobriska, available on Ep. 124 of the Be Here Now Network Guest Podcast.
About John Forté:
John FortĂ© is a Grammy-winning recording artist best known for his work with the hip-hop group, The Fugees, writing and producing songs on their multi-platinum record The Score. After a stint in prison while riding the volatile waves of success and failure, John coupled his refuge of music with messages of wisdom and love from inspirational spiritual teachers. Listen to Johnâs album Riddem Drive, and donât miss him on the Soul Land Music Series: Songs & Stories Inspired by Ram Dass.
âMy journey with music has been the relationship of having it, experiencing it, seeing it morph and take on different colors and shapes. It showed me from a very early age that collaboration was going to be the key for the source of my continued inspirationâworking with others, finding that harmonyâthatâs the spirit of it. The spirit of music is community, itâs communication, itâs air itself.â âJohn FortĂ©
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