Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Ep. 637 – Beyond the Veil of Normal Perception with Documentary Filmmaker Dakota Wint

Dakota Wint meets Raghu beyond the veil of normal perception to explore mysticism, altered states, and the fringe of spirituality. Subscribe to Dakota’s 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 about * Dr. Robert Svoboda’s trilogy on the Aghori people: At the Left Hand of God [https://www.amazon.com/Aghora-At-Left-Hand-God/dp/8171673422/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0] * Differentiating real prayer from performative rituals * Faith and seeing beyond the veil of our normal perception  * Considering the limits of spirituality and how it is expressed across cultures * Dissolving polarities and seeing the universality of all beings * Taking wisdom from Ram Dass through his posthumous book, There is No Other [https://shop.ramdass.org/products/there-is-no-other] * Realizing that wisdom and spirituality does not require travel or psychedelics * Dakota’s experience with plant medicine in the Amazonian jungle * Faith and remembering the mystery in day-to-day life * The eternal light of the Sadhu and reaching enlightened states without substances You can find Dakota’s documentary, Aghori: Holy Men Of The Dead, free on YouTube: Click Here To Watch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDyNvfBQ4Cs&list=PLQxHaGVLAzc45wODdC0jxue56o3U93kPI&index=4] 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 [https://aplaceforhumans.podbean.com/]. Dakota grew to fame as an internet personality via his popular YouTube channel, Dakota of Earth [https://www.youtube.com/dakotawint]. 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 [https://www.dakotawint.com/] “I 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.” –Dakota Wint See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Ep. 636 – A Buddhist Guide to Navigating the Chaos of the Digital Age with Vincent Thibault

From Tibetan Buddhism to Bhakti Yoga, Raghu and author Vincent Thibault explore reshaping the mind in our chaotic world. Grab a copy of Vincent’s book: Overflow: A Buddhist Guide to Recovering Sanity in the Age of Information Overload | Vincent Thibault [https://www.vincentthibault.com/overflow] This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and Vincent journey through: * Vincent’s early exposure to literature and the roots of his interest in Eastern philosophy and contemplative traditions * Navigating digital overwhelm and content overload in the modern age * How busyness and productivity culture can numb us to collective suffering * Parkour: a physical, artistic, and spiritually metaphorical discipline  * Suffering as a path to transformation and a deeper connection with God * Drawing connections across many different wisdom traditions * Positive attachment versus attachment that traps us * Those who inspire the trust of our own pure minds * Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the value of learning from multiple teachers * Raghu’s lineage of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion * The Tibetan translation of devotion: interested humility * Training the mind, training the heart, and learning to relate to both inner and outer phenomena  Learn more about Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche HERE [https://www.tralegrinpoche.org/biography/] and check out his book on karma [https://www.amazon.com/Karma-What-Isnt-Why-Matters/dp/1590308883] 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. Vincent’s 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 Vincent’s writing on his website [https://www.vincentthibault.com/books] which includes both a French and English section. You can also keep up with Vincent on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/vincentthibaultdotcom]. “Be 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.” –Vincent Thibault See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Ep. 635 – Inheriting the Lineage: Tulku Urgyen Family Part 2 with David Silver

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 Rinpoche’s memoirs, Blazing Splendor [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Blazing-Splendor/Tulku-Urgyen-Rinpoche/9781614298434], 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 Mother * The role of lineage holders and treasure revealers in Tibetan Buddhism * Tulku Urgyen’s unique style of teaching * Deep humility as an essential spiritual practice * How ‘being here now’ becomes a gateway to embodied wisdom * Releasing skepticism and misunderstanding around the concept of a guru * Honoring great spiritual masters and transmitting their wisdom across generations * The powerful film, Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion [https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Edwards-Shirley-Knight-Harris/dp/B00064MWJW] * Reaching a state of deathlessness and timeless awareness * Starting our day with compassion for ourselves and others “As 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.” –The 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 [https://www.ramdass.org/brilliantdisguise/]. 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. Silver’s #1 charting MGM/UA/Warners film, “The Compleat Beatles” is the critically acclaimed biopic movie about history’s most famous band. The term ‘rockumentary’ was first applied to this two-hour movie. Rolling Stone recently described the film as a “masterwork.” Silver’s Warner Brothers’ feature film, “No Nukes” also started the whole trend of music/activism feature documentaries. “‘Be Here Now’ is not only Ram Dass’s precept of just be in the present, it’s saying, ‘Be here now, and you’re everywhere. Be here now, and you’re in wisdom.’ If you’re not here now, you’re veering away from wisdom.” — David Silver See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Ep. 634 – Almost Home with Mirabai Bush

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 [https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Home-Dharma-Social-Change/dp/B0G1NBRRPR/] In this episode, Raghu and Mirabai chat about: * Mirabai’s leap of faith: leaving her PhD program, going to India, and becoming a devotee of Maharaj-ji * The mystery of timing and how a single moment can quietly change the course of a life * A silent meditation retreat that unexpectedly prepared Mirabai to meet Maharaj-ji * How one moment with Maharaj-ji expanded Mirabai’s sense of being alive and transformed her inner world * Surrendering control: how Maharaj-ji taught Ram Dass to release the need to manage reality * The sacred symbolism and devotional practice of touching a guru’s feet * The miracle of childbirth and Mirabai’s profound experiences with home birth Check out Mirabai’s archived podcast series on the Be Here Now Network [https://beherenownetwork.com/category/walking-each-other-home-with-mirabai-bush/]. About Mirabai Bush: In addition to being one of Love Serve Remember Foundation’s 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 [https://shop.ramdass.org/collections/books/products/compassion-action] and Walking Each Other Home [https://shop.ramdass.org/collections/books/products/walking-each-other-home]. Mirabai is Senior Fellow and founder of the Center on Contemplative Mind in Society [https://contemplativemind.org], 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 ‘Search Inside Yourself’ 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 [https://mirabaibush.com] and don’t forget to grab her latest book, Almost Home [https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Home-Dharma-Social-Change/dp/B0G1NBRRPR/]. “I just fell down at his feet. I never thought I would bow to a guru, but it wasn’t 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.” –Mirabai Bush See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Ep. 633 – Faith Over Fear with Michael Leach

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 Michael’s book, Faith Over Fear [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063442965?tag=harpercollinsus-20], to learn more about harnessing your own resilience. In this episode, Raghu and Michael take a journey through: * Closing the gap between faith and fear * Seeing faith as an action rather than a feeling  * How freedom comes when we loosen our grip on ego, fear, and identity * Surrender and choosing presence even when outcomes are unclear * The book The First 90 Days [https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612] and what culture truly means * Michael’s time working in the White House with the Biden-Harris administration * The meaningful pivot from our preference to our purpose * Enduring and adapting through the many changes we face socially, politically, and personally  * Breaking down the wall between ‘us’ and ‘them’, taking inspiration from Ram Dass’s There Is No Other [https://www.amazon.com/There-No-Other-Harmony-Wholeness/dp/0063443023] * Giving ourselves ‘the fear test’ and looking inward before we judge another person * Considering the cost of unity and choosing listening over labeling * Forming ourselves so that we are not driven by fear “Whatever you're not changing you’re 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 resilience” –Michael 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 [https://www.bridgetrustpartners.com/], an advisory firm specializing in leadership development, inclusive strategy, and transformative partnerships across industries—from 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 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063442965?tag=harpercollinsus-20%5C], a book on resilience and faith in uncertain times, was released in February 2026.  Reach out to Michael via his website [https://mrmichaelleach.com/], where you can find his social media and contact information as well as learn more about his speaking engagements, career coaching, and more.  “It'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.” –Michael Leach See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].