Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Melvin McLeod, editor of Lion’s Roar, shares his new vision of mindfulness as a complete way of living, from cultivating concentration and awareness to understanding our place in the universe.
Check out Melvin’s podcast series, The Complete Path of Mindfulness, where he talks with leaders in the field about a groundbreaking new advance in mindfulness practice. Melvin and his guests explore mindfulness as not only a helpful meditation technique, but as a complete, transformative path of life.
This time on Mindrolling, Melvin and Raghu explore:
Looking into what this life and universe is all about
Leading happier and more meaningful lives
Seeing mindfulness as a complete path of life
Melvin’s four identified keys of mindfulness
Inspiration from Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most important spiritual teachers of this age
Developing the power of concentration
Following a path without adopting a formal religion
Recognizing our deep, intimate connection with all things
Investigating the nature of awareness
Taming the mind and the RAIN method taught by Tara Brach
Be Here Now: Inhabiting the moment with loving-awareness
Melvin’s interview with Joanna Macy, renowned Buddhist thinker, environmental activist, and author
About Melvin McLeod:
Melvin McLeod is the editor-at-large of Lion's Roar, the largest media organization in the English language devoted to Buddhist meditation and mindfulness, and co-founder of Mindful magazine. He has been practicing for more than 40 years and is a well-known and respected authority on mindfulness and meditation. His ground-breaking teaching on the Complete Path of Mindfulness has been praised by leaders in the field as an important advance in how mindfulness is defined and practiced. Check out his new book to learn more about this innovative work: With a Single Breath: The Complete Path of Mindfulness.
“When mindfulness is seen not simply as a helpful meditation technique but as a complete path of life, it can offer the same powerful tools for personal and societal transformation traditionally only offered by religion in an evidence-driven, common-sense format, for all of those people who are not especially interested in following a capital ‘R’ religious path.” –Melvin McLeod
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Challenging our perceptions of reality, Samuel Bercholz and Raghu discuss loosening the ego’s grip through meditation and opening to the humor beneath it all.
Click HERE to preorder Samuel’s upcoming book, Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path
This time on Mindrolling, Samuel and Raghu explore:
Dipping a toe into all religions and learning how to meditate
The humble beginnings of Shambhala Publications
Addictions to ego and so-called reality
Witnessing the beautiful emptiness within Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
How Ram Dass moved within many different spiritual circles
Entering the mind of Buddha through meditation
Stepping out of the bureaucracy of ego
Not being too serious / blending love and humor
About Samuel Bercholz:
Sam Bercholz is a senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of Shambhala Publications. He was a close disciple of Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and was empowered by them to teach and given the title Acharya (religious instructor). He has taught extensively in North America, Europe, and Australasia. He was particularly empowered by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche to teach from A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar.
“What I’ve learned through Buddhist practice and being with great teachers is that the fixed ideas of reality and viewing the world were 180 degrees off. We experience things exactly backwards. Our habit of reality is so skewed that it makes all perceptions backwards. We choose our realities, and we become addicted to keeping that reality going.” –Samuel Bercholz
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Explaining the South African Philosophy of Ubuntu, traditional healer John Lockley discusses ancestral connection and the wisdom of our collective human story.
In this episode, John and Raghu explore:
Giving thanks to our biological ancestors
Reconciling with ancestors who may have done bad deeds
Calling in the names of our ancestors as a path to honoring all of our human relations
John’s experience being raised through Apartheid in South Africa
How Nelson Mandela spread the teachings of Ubuntu
Connecting to our dreams to connect to our humanity and our ancestors
The circle of Ubuntu and realizing that we are all equal
Humility as the foundation of any spiritual practice
A guided ancestral practice from John
About John Lockley:
John Lockley began his journey as a young medic drafted into the South African military. He then trained under Zen master Su Bong from South Korea, and returned to post-Apartheid South Africa to spend 10 years in apprenticeship with MaMngwevu, a medicine woman from the Xhosa tribe. His remarkable journey through the constraints of Apartheid is a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Find out more about John’s work and learn more about his numerous upcoming events, retreats, and other offerings at JohnLockley.com.
“Wherever you are, whatever you’re experiencing, know that you’re a child of nature, a child of the great one.” –John Lockley
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Philosopher-artist and psychotherapist Todd Fink joins Raghu to trace the threads that connect art, science, and mysticism.
Grab a copy of Todd’s first book, Losslessness: reflections on impermanence, glimpses of forever, HERE!
This time on Mindrolling, Todd and Raghu chat about:
Diving into mysticism and how every part contains the whole
Quantum physics and the observer effect
Impermanence and seeing the eternal in all things
Sacred friction and ‘irritating the status quo’
Abhaya: shedding the illusion and revealing fearlessness
How Maharaj-ji led people to both Bhakti Yoga and Buddhism
The inseparability of love and discriminating wisdom
Trust, sincerity, and courage in practice
About Todd Fink:
Along with his brother E. Fink, Todd co-founded the acclaimed music group The Giving Tree Band. He’s had an album reach the Top 40 on the Americana Radio Charts, and the Kind Mind podcast has been a top show globally in the categories of philosophy and self-help. An Ivy League-trained licensed psychotherapist, he also holds certifications in addiction counseling and mindfulness meditation teaching. He earned a BA in psychology from Georgetown University and MS in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University. In addition to 25+ years of professional mental health work with diverse populations, his academic expertise and research include international welfare, psychedelic practice, advocacy, psychopathology, and more. A lifelong student of meditation, Todd works fervently to help guide individuals, organizations, and communities toward ecological balance, well-being, and peace.
“Love isn’t what we get or what we lost, but really that’s what we are. Same with meditation—meditation isn’t something we do. Meditation is what we are. When we sit, when we chant, or when we pray, it gives us a chance to strip away the pretenses.” –Todd Fink
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Psychotherapist and author David Richo shares how to move past the destructive urge to retaliate through principles of psychology, Buddhism, and more.
Grab a copy of David’s newest book, Sweeter than Revenge: Overcoming Your Payback Mind and Achieving Real Connection in all Your Relationships
This time on Mindrolling, David and Raghu discuss:
Retaliation and separateness as the ego’s favorite sports
Rolling with the punches and not expecting full acknowledgment from everyone
Expanding our ability to handle whatever happens in life
Saying ‘yes’ to the opportunity of grace
Righteousness versus healthy communication
Forbearance: how long-term mindfulness practice can help us be less reactive
Opening the path to enlightenment through forgiveness
About David Richo:
David Richo, PhD, MFT, is a psychotherapist, teacher, workshop leader, and writer who works in Santa Barbara and San Francisco, California. He combines Jungian, poetic, and mythic perspectives in his work with the intention of integrating the psychological and the spiritual. His books and workshops include attention to Buddhist and Christian spiritual practices. Check out David’s website to learn more.
“What is ego? The insertion of our entitlement to be treated with honor, respect, and full acknowledgment by everyone. Some people like us and some people don’t. You gotta roll with those kinda punches rather than take revenge on anyone that doesn’t come through positively for you.” –David Richo
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