A special post election message of hope from Robert A.F. Thurman recorded November 2020 in Phoenicia, New York at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa. Image via Obama White House Archives, All Rights Reserved. www.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov
Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman continue their online dialogue using questions from friends and students discussing how the tools of mindfulness skill training, Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Dalai Lama have influenced them over the years. Questioning Buddhism: Sharon Salzberg and Bob Thurman – Ep. 246 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded during the live online event “Saturday Night Live Q & A Dialogue“, October 24th, 2020. To learn more about the work and teachings of Sharon Salzberg, please visit her website: www.sharonsalzberg.com. This podcast is a part of the Tibet House US Conversations series of dialogues between Bob Thurman and the leading hearts, minds and personalities bringing the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and Tibet into the modern mindful and compassionate revolution. The Tibet House US | Menla Online (THUS MO) Conversations are produced through the generous support of it’s membership community and are a part of the digital member archive made av...
Opening with an extended message of gratitude to modern scientists, Professor Thurman in this episode explores the power of kindness and the centrality of compassionate wisdom in transformation through reading key passages from the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Robert A.F. Thurman gives a close line reading and recitation of his classic translation of the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” for listeners of all faiths, backgrounds or experience. Using stories from the Nalanda tradition’s Tilopa and from his time studying with Geshe Wangyal, Tara Tulku, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Bob Thurman discusses the value of positive intention, life-affirming action and supportive behavior during the death process and in our daily lives. This episode includes an in depth teaching on Buddhist Bodhisattvas and angelic beings and responds to questions about the ethics of the art of dying. Recorded during the on-going Tibet House US | Menla Online “Bardo” teachings. To learn more...
In this episode Professor Thurman introduces the Four Noble Truths and the Buddhist Inner Sciences through reading key passages from the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Opening with a recommendation of “Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition” by Andrew Holecek and a lively Carlos Castaneda story, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a close line reading and recitation of his classic translation of the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” for listeners of all faiths, backgrounds or experience. Using the stories of from the Nalanda Tradition’s Tilopa and from his time studying with Geshe Wangyal, Tara Tulku, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Bob Thurman discusses value of positive intention, life affirming action and supportive behavior during the death process and in our daily lives. Podcast includes: an explanation of the restorative sleep yoga and clear light meditations, introductions to the Buddhist perspectives on emptiness, non...
In this episode, recorded on the “Super Moon” of August 2020, Professor Thurman introduces the historic Vajra Yoga teacher training being held in person and online with The Yoga Space’s Michele Loew and the Tibet House US Menla community. Teaching to Yoga students in person and live on Zoom, Bob Thurman gives a teaching on the interconnected nature of Buddhism, Yoga, the Inner Sciences, Psychotherapy and particle physics. Introducing the philosophies of yoga, dualist and nondualist, Shiva and Kalachakra Yogas through personal stories and line translations, this episode includes: an overview of Basic Buddhism, through the Tipitaka or “Pali Canon”, the three baskets or bodies of scriptue the Vinaya, Sutta, and the “Three Higher Educations” or Trisiksa of Ethics, Meditation and development of wisdom. “Each of you is perfect the way you are… and you can use a little improvement.”- Shunryu Suzuki The Vajra Yoga Teacher training is an intensive studies program & includes study a...
Reconnecting for the first time since the Covi-19 pandemic began Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman discuss the her book “Real Change” and how the tools of mindfulness skill training, Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Dalai Lama have influenced them over the years. Opening with stories from the “Peacemaking: The Power of Nonviolence” Conference held in San Francisco, California, in 1997 Sharon details how her time with grassroots activists, front-line health care providers, students and labor organizers practicing meditation have inspired, informed and invigorated her. Podcast includes discussions of: Bell Hook’s perspective on social action and the value of creativity and art in creating change, How mindfulness practice can lead one to the tools and the and the Buddhist Inner Sciences of mind transformation, and how individuals living the reality of the teachings of compassion and equanimity can be found all around us. Tibet House US Menla Conversations: Sharon Salz...
In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Mark Epstein M.D. discuss the history of scientific studies on the effects of meditation training since Buddhism’s migration to the West and encounter with materialists, psychotherapists and poets. Settling down after their annual Buddhism and Psychotherapy gathering, Bob Thurman and Mark Epstein reflect upon their twenty plus years teaching together, the on-going dialog between mental health care-givers and Buddhist Psychonauts, highlighting the teachers and teachings which impacted their work, writing and personal journeys. Candidly sharing details about his next book, Mark describes his academic career, the untold stories behind his groundbreaking writings, and shows how his lifelong combination of concentrated meditation practice with clinical psychological practice and study have earned him his eminent place on the front lines of the mindfulness revolution. This episode includes: an exploration of the influence of the h...
In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Lavinia Currier discuss the history of environmental awareness in light of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Recounting childhood stories from the first Earth Day, film maker and life long environmentalist Lavinia Currier shares insights from her experience as an mother, organic farmer, creative producer and protector of pristine beaches in Hawaii and of the three great forests of the world. Episode includes: A short history of environmental activism in America, an introduction to simple, cruelty free methods of pest control, an examination of the relationship between food deserts, economic inequality and the rise of community gardens, gardening, farm markets, and CSAs (crop share associations). Episode concludes with a Buddhist perspective on facing depression online by Professor Thurman highlighting the potential silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic pause occurring during quarantine, This podcast is apart of the Tibe...
In this extended conversation Dr. Mark Hyman and Robert A.F. Thurman explore the relationship between diet, food production, the climate crisis and the rise of global pandemics. Opening with a short history of farm policy and government food subsidies in the United States, Professor Thurman and Dr. Hyman share stories from their work over the years with students, patients, thought leaders and those concerned about the reality of climate change. Podcast includes: a frank discussion of the industrial food, agriculture and oil lobby, a physician’s perspective on stevia and artificial sweeteners and an extended overview of Buddhist medicine and the use of plant medicine, health tonics and food based remedies across traditions. This episode concludes with a call to action for cultural creatives, venture capitalists, medical practitioners and those of influence to support positive fact based lobbying efforts and the production of a documentary film series based on Dr. Mark Hyman’s best ...
Using the teachings of the historical Buddha, Nagarjuna and Shantideva, Robert A.F. Thurman elaborates the concept of cool heroism and the yoga of practical non-violence passed down from India and Tibet. Opening with a humorous introduction to the non-violent teachings of Gandhi and the Buddhist perspective on theism, Professor Thurman gives an explanation of his concept of cool heroes, Inner Cool Revolutions, giving examples of cool heroism from recent history and modern politics. Podcast includes a discussion of the value and place of anger in creating change, an overview of the Buddhist concept of selflessness and a guided meditation on the equal exchange of self and other. Cool Heroism & The Great Re-Thinking – Ep. 238 of the Bob Thurman Podcast is an excerpt from The Great Re-thinking Prophets Conference talk “Cool Heroism : Response to Our Crisis of Violence” by Robert A.F. Thurman, recorded in Oxford, England, Image via www.himalayanart.org.