Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Ep. 623 – The Story Of Kind Karl: Raising Mindful Kids with Sharon Salzberg and Duncan Trussell

Discussing the loving-kindness lessons in Kind Karl, Sharon’s first children’s book, Raghu, Duncan, and Sharon chat about raising mindful kids who can become mindful adults.   Kind Karl will be released on 12/9!  Co-authored by Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a new children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness. To learn more about Sharon’s forthcoming children’s book, Kind Karl, and pre-order a copy with a special pre-order gift, you can visit Sharon’s website, right here. [https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/kind-karl]  This time on Mindrolling, Duncan, Sharon, and Raghu connect over: * Sharon’s upcoming children’s book on mindfulness and loving-kindness, Kind Karl * Understanding how habits like greed and fear begin in early childhood * How issues like greed have roots in early childhood * Learning from Karl the Crocodile: navigating big feelings, mistakes, and emotional complexity * Karl the Crocodile as an inspiration for parents dealing with guilt and stress * Making mindfulness accessible and engaging for children of all ages * Putting our thoughts onto clouds and allowing them to float away * Loving-kindness meditations for kids: getting the whole family into mindfulness practice About Sharon Salzberg: Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour [https://beherenownetwork.com/category/sharon-salzberg/], has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com [http://www.sharonsalzberg.com/] and check out Insight Meditation Society [https://www.dharma.org/]. “It’s not a small thing to have even a little act of kindness because of what’s happening to us inside. That’s something Karl the Crocodile gets into. He really decides to change when he makes that experiment, which can be kind of radical: help them instead of hurt them, help yourself, and forgive yourself. How does it feel inside when we choose that?” –Sharon Salzberg About  Duncan Trussell: Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour [https://www.duncantrussell.com/], has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan’s Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel [https://www.netflix.com/title/80987903], which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan’s work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com [https://www.duncantrussell.com/]. "It starts right at the beginning, they want each other's toys. This is built into us. Whenever you look out into the world at the stuff going on and the big picture, it really isn't that different from siblings, except the problem is that these are adults and there isn't anyone to tell them, okay, you're getting a time out." –Duncan Trussell 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. 622 – There Is No Other, New Ram Dass Book Release with Parvati Markus

Celebrating the release of There Is No Other, a new book of teachings from Ram Dass’ lectures, Parvati Markus and Raghu Markus listen to and reflect on some of the material used in its creation. This special episode of Mindrolling celebrates the new book, There Is No Other [https://shop.ramdass.org/products/there-is-no-other?_pos=1&_sid=90f57264e&_ss=r], a collection of teachings taken from Ram Dass’ lectures. In these times, Ram Dass’ teachings on wholeness and unity are more needed than ever. * We begin with a clip of Ram Dass exploring the mindset of “us versus them.” Who exactly is us? Who is them? Raghu and Parvati reflect on how this clip is central to the theme of There Is No Other. * The next clip features Ram Dass talking about the balance of heart and mind. Sharing a powerful real-life example, he explores how we cut ourselves off when we veil our hearts. Raghu and Parvati share how the book is about walking a path to harmony and wholeness. * The third clip finds Ram Dass examining Ramana Maharshi’s concept of “God, Guru, Self,” and how we can begin to appreciate that the Spirit is everywhere. Parvati and Raghu discuss how Ram Dass’ new book speaks to this really important moment in our lives. * We end with a brief clip of Ram Dass talking about the path of love. “Finally,” he says, “you become an environment, a vibratory rate…” The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. We invite you to join us and share your curiosities, insights, and wisdom. Sign up for the General Fellowship [https://www.ramdass.org/fellowship/] to receive event invitations directly in your inbox. “So the mind, if it gets too strong, out of balance with the heart, shuts down all the information that the heart can give. It cuts you off from your wisdom, really. You don’t even see all the stuff. I mean, you and I are simultaneously existing on so many planes of reality, but because of the power of our minds, we keep limiting which realities are real, and the rest of it we either treat as error or we don’t even notice. It’s so deeply unconscious, we just don’t even notice all the rest of us, of ourselves.” – Ram Dass 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. 621 – Where Psychotherapy Meets Buddhism with Dr. Jeffrey B. Rubin

Raghu Markus and Psychoanalyst Dr. Jeffrey Rubin unpack how mindfulness, empathy, and self-understanding connect the worlds of Buddhism and Western therapy. In this Mindrolling episode, Raghu and Dr. Rubin discuss: * Jeffrey’s traditional upbringing and the unexpected spiritual experience he had during a basketball game * Key parallels between Western psychotherapy and Buddhist wisdom * How “hovering attention” and mindfulness support both therapists and clients * Identifying pure presence in numerous activities, from chanting to sports and beyond  * The marriage of Buddha and Freud: moment-to-moment non-judgmental, non-interfering presence  * Why some Buddhist practitioners can be “one with experience” but struggle to articulate what that truly means * Viewing our symptoms as beautiful gateways to transformation rather than obstacles * Putting practice into everyday life and helping people truly live differently * Empathetically understanding those we disagree with  * Becoming open to feedback and growth instead of shutting down new ideas  * The ways in which we maladaptively try to cure ourselves  * What real, sustainable transformation actually looks like in practice Grab one of Jeffrey’s central works, Meditative Psychotherapy: The Marriage of East and West [https://www.amazon.com/Meditative-Psychotherapy-Marriage-East-ebook/dp/B00AYXBKKM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1358003610&sr=1-1&keywords=Meditative+Psychotherapy] About Dr. Jeffrey B. Rubin: Dr. Rubin practices psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapy and teaches meditation in New York City and Bedford Hills, New York. Widely regarded as a leading integrator of the Western psychotherapeutic and Eastern meditative traditions, Dr. Rubin created Meditative Psychotherapy based on decades of study, teaching and helping people to flourish. Dr. Rubin is the author of six books [https://www.drjeffreyrubin.com/books.html] and numerous publications. He has taught at universities, psychoanalytic institutes and Buddhist and yoga centers. Dr. Rubin lectures in the US and has given workshops at the UN, the Esalen Institute, the Open Center and the 92nd Street Y. His pioneering approach to psychotherapy and Buddhism has been featured in The New York Times Magazine. Sign up HERE [https://orinyc.org/self-transformation-east-and-west/] for a workshop on self-transformation with Dr. Rubin “I call it the marriage of Buddha and Freud. It’s any practice that cultivates moment-to-moment, non-judgmental, non-interfering presence. That can be qigong, prayer, or Sufi dancing. I don’t want the audience to think it has to be Buddhist; it can be many things. It just happens to be very well done in Buddhism. It’s any sincere path that will help you focus, concentrate, have more self-compassion and compassion for others.” –Dr. Jeffrey B. Rubin 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. 620 – Psychedelic Teachings: A Mindrolling Anthology w/ Rick Doblin, Dr. Sylvestre Quevedo, Paul Austin, Stephanie Karzon Abrams, and Gül Dölen

This episode of Mindrolling is a collection of some of the most potent teachings from Raghu’s conversations with experts and researchers in the field of psychedelics. In this Mindrolling Anthology: * Clip 1 (Ep. 348 [https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-with-raghu-markus-ep-348-the-psychedelics-renaissance-with-rick-doblin/]) – We begin with a clip from one of Raghu’s conversations with Rick Doblin, who is a leader of the current psychedelic renaissance. They discuss grief, PTSD, and the role of psychedelics in trauma processing. * Clip 2 (Ep. 497 [https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-with-raghu-markus-ep-497-psychedelic-preparation-and-integration-with-sylver-quevedo-md-mph/]) – Next up is a snippet from Raghu’s talk with Dr. Sylvestre Quevedo, a psychedelic researcher who has practiced medicine for over 40 years. They explore how ketamine fits into the picture of psychedelics and share stories of their own experiences. * Clip 3 (Ep. 505 [https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-with-raghu-markus-ep-505-amplifying-psychedelics-with-paul-austin-gagan-jared-levy/]) – We move on to a discussion with Paul Austin, an entrepreneur, author, and coach. He and Raghu talk about how psychedelics can help us remember who we truly are and the potential they hold for healing relationships. * Clip 4 (Ep. 563 [https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-with-raghu-markus-ep-563-science-and-spirit-with-stephanie-karzon-abrams/]) – Next, we have neuropharmacologist Stephanie Karzon Abrams. She and Raghu discuss bridging the gap between science and spirit, and how psychedelics can help change our perspectives. * Clip 5 (Ep. 596 [https://beherenownetwork.com/mindrolling-with-raghu-markus-ep-596-psychedelics-a-master-key-to-rewiring-the-brain-with-gul-dolen/]) – The final clip is from a conversation between Raghu and neuroscientist Gül Dölen. They talk about how psychedelics induce meta-plasticity and why “critical periods” after psychedelic therapies are similar to the Buddhist concept of beginner’s mind. “But really, what psychedelics are teaching us is the importance of presence, how to listen, how to slow down, right? They’re helping to sort of take us out of this rigamarole, this hamster wheel of existence, and see that another way of being is actually possible. And really, what’s required more than anything is a loving, compassionate presence.” – Paul Austin 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. 619 – Sanity and Sainthood: Integrating Meditation and Psychotherapy with Tucker Peck, Ph.D.

Raghu sits down with clinical psychologist and meditation teacher Dr. Tucker Peck to explore the meeting point of dharma and psychotherapy. If you are in the U.S., you can directly purchase a paperback copy of Sanity & Sainthood HERE [https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=CTbA68UzbBDC8RJaEn6IENs3qugfjTheaA00wigSUd5]. Otherwise, head over to Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Sanity-Sainthood-Integrating-Meditation-Psychotherapy/dp/B0F7FXNCG4/] for both paperback and ebook formats.  In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Tucker discuss: * Tucker’s first mind-altering meditative experience on the beach * Including the dharma in psychotherapy and Tucker’s work in meditation as a therapeutic modality * How Tucker developed a relationship with Sharon Salzberg and learned mindfulness techniques from her * The eccentric story of Grandma Allegra: enlightenment, humor, and being in love with the world  * The question of psychedelics—are they ‘necessary’ for elevating consciousness? * Working with the mind and the difference between content and process  * The pros and cons of the ego and why we need to first know ourselves before dissolving the self * The Elephant Path, a nine-step practice for building concentration, insight, and awakened awareness About Tucker Peck, Ph.D.: Dr. Tucker Peck is a meditation teacher, clinical psychologist, and bestselling author of Sanity and Sainthood [https://www.amazon.com/Sanity-Sainthood-Integrating-Meditation-Psychotherapy-ebook/dp/B0F7FXNCG4/].  His specialties include working with advanced meditators and using meditation to help those suffering from psychological disorders.  He hosts the podcast Teaching Meditation [https://open.spotify.com/show/731BWYtFw3tNimS5Mp0NKD?si=e9fe814eb5df4e70]. Tucker began formal training in meditation in 2005 and has studied with, among other teachers, Sharon Salzberg and Upasaka Culadasa.Tucker received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Brown University, and he received his Masters and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the College of Science at the University of Arizona. Tucker is a published author on the scientific study of meditation, focusing on how meditation affects the brain. He is a former faculty member of both the University of Arizona Department of Psychology and College of Medicine, and he is the founder and former Director of Palo Santo Psychotherapy & Wellness [http://palosantowellness.org/].  He is the founder, treasurer, and past president of the Open Dharma Foundation [http://www.opendharmafoundation.org/], which provides scholarships to meditation retreats, and for four years served as the president of the Tucson Community Meditation Center [http://tucsonmeditation.org/].  Keep up with Tucker and his upcoming retreats HERE [https://meditatewithtucker.com]. “The trouble is, the ego is trying to protect you from threats and it is very, very unclear on what does and doesn’t constitute a threat. It tends to think any sort of emotion constitutes a threat, any sort of insight into how the mind or perceptual system works is more than you can handle, so what you want is to slowly get to know yourself.” –Tucker Peck, Ph.D. 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].