Redesigning the Dharma Adrian Baker

Episode Summary:Episode 10 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Danielle Rateau, a shamanic Reiki master healer who spent a year facilitating ayahuasca retreats in the Sacred Valley in Peru. This episode dives into Danielle’s experiences leading ayahuasca ceremonies, the importance of preparation and integration regarding psychedelic sessions, and how to work with fear or difficult emotions that may arise during the journey.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Guest Background and introduction* 07:41 How Ayahuasca Ceremonies Are Facilitated* 11:38 Group Dynamics in Ayahuasca Retreats* 27:22 The Role of Visions in Ayahuasca Experiences* 33:50 Balancing Ayahuasca Use and Integration* 47:52 Working with Fear in Ayahuasca JourneysGuest Bio:Danielle Rateau has been dedicated to the path of holistic healing since 2017. After two years living and working at an eco yoga community in Australia, she traveled the world exploring different healing modalities. In 2022, she worked at an Ayahuasca retreat in the Sacred Valley of Peru, where she deepened her understanding of Shamanism and healing with plant medicine. As a Shamanic Reiki master practitioner, Danielle offers distance healings through her practice, Soul Embodied Reiki & Energy Healing. Through YouTube, she shares videos about personal growth, spirituality, holistic healing, and Reiki/ASMR.CONNECT WITH DANIELLE (https://www.soulembodiedhealing.com/)DANIELLE ON YOUTUBE (https://www.youtube.com/@daniellerateau/)DANIELLE ON INSTAGRAM (https://www.instagram.com/daniellerateau/)REIKI ASMR ON YOUTUBE (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeW82iXmYumTQTOW2VhpWiQ)SEE ALL EPISODES (https://www.sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)

Episode 9 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Aaron Paul Orsini, an autistic psychedelic educator, author, and researcher at Autism On Acid (https://www.autismonacid.com/). This episode explores the intersection of psychedelics and neurodivergence, and specifically touches on the medicine’s impact on ADHD and autism. The discussion leans heavily into Orsini’s research and personal experiences with microdosing LSD for ADHD management, psychedelics and sensory awareness, the importance of foundational practices like meditation, exercise, and proper nutrition, and the potential for psychedelics to enhance self-understanding and connection.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Guest Background and Intro to Psychedelics and Neurodivergence* 06:22 Aaron Orsini’s Journey with ADHD, Autism, and Psychedelic Use* 09:08 Microdosing LSD: A Day in the Life* 10:30 Strategies for Managing ADHD and Enhancing Focus* 23:31 Harnessing Technology and Psychedelics for ADHD* 44:52 Meditation vs PsychedelicsGuest Bio:Aaron Orsini is an autistic psychedelic educator, author, and researcher. He has published four books about his area of focus: Autism on Acid, Autistic Psychedelic, Introduction to Psychedelic Autism, and Psychedelic Autism, and presently serves as a psychedelic autism researcher, co-author, collaborator to University College London and an advisor to an ADAPT drug education study funded by Organization for Autism Research.Aaron is also a lecturer on psilocybin facilitation for Alma Institute, Sound Mind Institute in Oregon, Naropa University in Colorado, and the lead instructor for his first of kind focus-intensive facilitation through psychedelicautism.com.He presently lives in Denver, where he is focused on creating decentralized and affordable community care models that can offer psilocybin and other natural medicines through grow, gift, and get together approaches.CONNECT WITH AARON (https://www.aaronorsini.com/)PURCHASE AUTISM ON ACID (https://www.aaronorsini.com/autism-on-acid-book)SEE ALL EPISODES (sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)

Episode 8 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Erik Davis, an author and founding member of The Alembic (https://berkeleyalembic.org/) at Berkeley. The discussion begins with an introduction to Davis’ recent work on an upcoming book about LSD blotter art and his Substack 'Burning Shore.' They delve into the contemporary dharma scene, the strengths and weaknesses of the younger generation of practitioners, and how psychedelics play a role in this landscape. Erik shares about the intersections between Zen practice, the non-dual awareness traditions, and psychedelics, emphasizing the importance of a pluralistic and open-minded approach to spirituality. The dialogue encapsulates a rich discussion on the challenges and opportunities within modern spiritual practices, the evolving landscape of psychedelic experiences, and the balance between tradition and innovation.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Introduction, Guest Background, Erik’s Current Projects* 02:18 Insights From The Alembic: Observations on Young Dharma Practitioners* 12:16 Disenchantment and Enchantment in Psychedelic Experiences* 30:42 The Participant Observer: A Journey of Discernment and Non-Duality* 44:10 The Open Source Approach to Spirituality and Its Challenges* 50:55 Embracing Pluralism and Mystery in Spiritual PracticeGuest Bio:Erik Davisis an author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker based in San Francisco. He is the author of five books, including High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the 70s; Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica; The Visionary State: A Journey through California’s Spiritual Landscape; and the 33 1/3 volume Led Zeppelin IV. His first and best-known book remains TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information, a cult classic of visionary media studies that’s still in print.Erik’s scholarly and popular essays on California, music, technoculture, drugs, and spirituality have appeared in scores of books, magazines, and journals, and his writing has been translated into over a dozen languages. Davis has spoken widely at universities, conferences, retreat centers, and festivals, and has been interviewed by CNN, the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. He graduated from Yale University in 1988, and earned his PhD in religious studies at Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore.CONNECT WITH ERIK (https://twitter.com/erik_davis)SUBSCRIBE TO BURNING SHORE (https://www.burningshore.com/)THE ALEMBIC (https://berkeleyalembic.org/)SEE ALL EPISODES (https://www.sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)

Episode 7 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Ian Baker from The Vajra Path (https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Vajra-Path-100088040336775/), renowned Vajrayana Buddhism scholar, yogi, explorer, and author. They explore the origins, practices, and transformative potential of Tantra within both the Vajrayana Buddhism and non-dual Shaiva Shakta traditions. Dr. Baker breaks down the concept of Tantra, touching on its definition, historical emergence, and the non-dual essence of practice. Additionally, they touch on the use of psychoactive plants in tantric practices and the exciting potential for Vajrayana's future as it intersects with contemporary culture and beyond.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background* 01:35 Overview of Tantra: Origins, Definition, Practices, Misconceptions, and Creative Essence* 09:27 Exploring Sahaja: The Innate Bliss and Its Relevance* 19:47 Karmic Knots and Tantric Practices for Transformation* 40:36 Psychoactive Plants in Tantric Traditions* 49:52 Vajra Path: Bridging East and West through PilgrimagesGuest Bio:Dr. Ian Baker holds a PhD in History and a MPhil in Medical Anthropology from University College London, following earlier graduate work in Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and English Literature at the University of Oxford.He is the author of seven critically acclaimed books on Himalayan and Tibetan cultural history, environment, art, and medicine including, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices, The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple, The Heart of the World, The Tibetan Art of Healing, and Buddhas of the Celestial Gallery, with introductions by the H.H. the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra.Recognized by National Geographic as one of seven ‘Explorers for the Millennium,’ he has conducted extensive field research in Tibet’s Tsangpo Gorge region, and currently leads private journeys and travel seminars in India, Tibet, and Bhutan.Baker has studied under Tibetan Buddhist luminaries, such as Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, Dudjom Jigdral Dorje Rinpoche, and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is also the co-founder of The Vajra Path with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang.CONNECT WITH IAN (mailto:info@ianbaker.com?)IAN’S WEBSITE (https://ianbakerjourneys.wordpress.com/)THE VAJRA PATH (https://www.instagram.com/thevajrapath/)SEE ALL EPISODES (https://www.sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)

Episode 6 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features part two of a conversation between Ryan Oelke from Buddhist Geeks and Adrian Baker. This episode talks about integrating awakening into modern culture through cultural, philosophical, and personal experiences. They discuss the distinction between proprietary dharma and open source dharma, the importance of personal development, societal structures, and the significance of embodying awakening. Oelke also shares his journey from traditional Vajrayana to studying with Judith Blackstone and the creation of his Integral Dharma course, emphasizing the essence and experiential aspects of awakening.Episode Highlights:* 00:10 Introduction and Guest Background* 01:21 Exploring Proprietary Dharma vs Open Source Dharma* 08:55 Transition from Traditional Vajrayana to Integral Practices* 11:13 The Role of Therapy in Spiritual Growth* 17:09 The Concept of Integral Dharma* 30:06 Closing Remarks and Future PlansGuest Bio:Ryan is an Executive Coach at Stagen, an Integral Leadership Academy based in Dallas, Texas; co-founder and teacher at Buddhist Geeks; and a Senior Teacher in Judith Blackstone’s Realization Process. He has an MSEd in counseling psychology and 20+ years experience in meditation, particularly in the Tibetan Buddhist and Dzogchen lineages.Ryan teaches an integral path of embodied, responsive presence and invites others into the mystery of their own lived experience and embodiment. His approach is grounded in the foundation of waking up, and includes cleaning up (healing), growing up, and showing up in the world.He also has a BA in Spanish, 3 years of graduate study of classical Tibetan and translation, and is a passionate learner and teacher of languages.CONNECT WITH RYAN (https://www.instagram.com/ryanoelke/)RYAN’S WEBSITE (https://www.ryanoelke.com/)RYAN’S LINKEDIN (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanoelke/)INTEGRAL LIFE (https://integrallife.com/)AWAKENING IN LIFE FOUNDATION (https://awakening.life/)BUDDHIST GEEKS (https://linktr.ee/buddhistgeeks)SEE ALL EPISODES (https://www.sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)

Episode 5 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation Ryan Oelke from Buddhist Geeks. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Adrian and Ryan talk about their personal experiences with Buddhism, specifically the practice of Dharma and the Vajrayana and Dzogchen traditions. They discuss their journeys becoming practitioners and teachers, and the impact of certain teachings and figures like Ken Wilber and Namkhai Norbu. This episode then dives into the importance of experimenting with different traditions, maintaining an open mind, and navigating the relationship with one's primary spiritual teacher or "Root Guru".Episode Highlights:* 00:10 Introduction* 00:13 Updates from Ryan Oelke: Teaching Dharma Privately and Leadership Coaching* 05:16 The Contrast Between Different Buddhist Traditions* 21:55 The Impact of Namkhai Norbu's Teachings* 28:23 Finding a Style and Tradition that Suits You* 37:26 The Balance of Discipline and PlayfulnessGuest Bio:Ryan is an Executive Coach at Stagen, an Integral Leadership Academy based in Dallas, Texas; co-founder and teacher at Buddhist Geeks; and a Senior Teacher in Judith Blackstone’s Realization Process. He has an MSEd in counseling psychology and 20+ years experience in meditation, particularly in the Tibetan Buddhist and Dzogchen lineages.Ryan teaches an integral path of embodied, responsive presence and invites others into the mystery of their own lived experience and embodiment. His approach is grounded in the foundation of waking up, and includes cleaning up (healing), growing up, and showing up in the world.He also has a BA in Spanish, 3 years of graduate study of classical Tibetan and translation, and is a passionate learner and teacher of languages.CONNECT WITH RYAN (https://www.instagram.com/ryanoelke/)RYAN’S WEBSITE (https://www.ryanoelke.com/)RYAN’S LINKEDIN (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanoelke/)INTEGRAL LIFE (https://integrallife.com/)AWAKENING IN LIFE FOUNDATION (https://awakening.life/)BUDDHIST GEEKS (https://linktr.ee/buddhistgeeks)SEE ALL EPISODES (https://www.sahajasoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma)