Mindrolling with Raghu Markus

Be Here Now Network

Escapades in Mind-Expansion and Cultural Misadventures. Mindrolling Podcast is about coming unstuck and the recent history of awoken awareness. It’s about the intersection of culture, consciousness and realization with Raghu Markus.

  1. 8 HR AGO

    Ep. 609 – The Bhakti-Buddhist Lineage: Stories of Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji with Robert Thurman & Nina Rao

    Recorded live at the 2025 Summer Mountain Retreat, this homestyle chat with Raghu Markus, Nina Rao, and Robert Thurman explores the Bhakti-Buddhist lineage of Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji. Join us this December for the 2025 Ram Dass Legacy Open Your Heart in Paradise retreat in Maui! This time on Mindrolling, Raghu, Nina, and Robert discuss: The story of finding Neem Karoli Baba and filling up on poori and potatoesHow Maharaj-ji miraculously healed Krishna Das’s injured kneeThe wonderful interplay between Ram Dass and Buddhist teachersNina’s relationship with Sri Siddhi Ma, an intimate devotee of Maharaj-ji (considered by many to be a saint in her own right)Seeing everyone as the guru and living the best way that we canNina’s journey to the foothills of the Himalayas and meeting Siddhi Ma for the first timeThe Buddhist perspective on the soul (ātman) and whether we truly have oneWhy ‘Be Here Now’ is actually a mantra of care and femininity The Bhagavad Gita and the meaning of karma yoga Letting go of fear around birth and death by focusing on liberation from sufferingBeing here now in the best way we can by loving those around us rather than running away from the pain in the world “My own take on it in terms of what we represent and what goes on here is really, truly, a combination of Bhakti and discriminating wisdom represented by Buddhist perspective.” – Raghu Markus About Nina Rao: Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Together with Chandra and Genevieve Walker, Nina operates the 21 Taras Collective. You can keep up with Nina on her website or find her on Instagram @nina_rao and on Facebook @NinaRaoChant. “I didn’t realize that I was looking for a guru until Krishna Das started talking about Neem Karoli Baba. When I heard about him and I felt that presence that came alive when Krishna Das was talking about Maharaj-ji, I wanted to meet him.” – Nina Rao About Robert Thurman: Robert Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and President of the Tibet House U.S., and is the President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies. His new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life, is now available. “What is the best way to 'be here now'? It’s to love Raghu, to love Nina, to love Maharaj-ji, it’s to love everything here and now and make it beautiful and the best. Be as beautiful and as best as you can be because that’s absolute. That’s the way to 'be Nirvana now'.”  – Robert Thurman See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 11m
  2. 22 AUG

    Ep. 608 – Facing Our Collective Karma with Dr. Bruce Damer

    Continuing their earlier conversation, Dr. Bruce Damer and Raghu Markus have a socially charged discussion on facing our collective karma with equanimity and grace.  Start with the first part of this conversation HERE. In this episode, Raghu and Dr. Damer explore: Ram Dass’s teachings on social justice and keeping our hearts open in hellUnderstanding collective karma and how it shapes the world we live in todayWhy this moment in history may be the most powerful time for spiritual awakening and intellectual growthBalancing awareness of global challenges with one’s own personal and spiritual developmentCultivating equanimity and positivity instead of falling into fear, stress, or panicThe importance of satsang and sangha—gathering in community for deeper spiritual connectionHow spiritual wisdom from gurus and teachers can be misinterpreted or become misunderstood over timeDr. Damer’s connection to philosopher Dr. Kaushik, wisdom from Krishnamurti, and psychedelics from Terence MckennaAltered states of consciousness and connecting into the mind at large“These beings don’t just come out of nowhere. There's a karma that we collectively have, actions that we have taken that have created what we are now looking in horror at.” – Raghu Markus Links & Recommendations from this episode: Read more of Ram Dass on Finding Space for Equanimity in Social Justice Preorder the upcoming book Strange Attractor, to learn more about the hallucinatory life of Terence Mckenna  Listen to Dr. Kaushik’s insightful audios HERE Check out Dr. Bruce Damer’s Podcast, Levity Zone, featuring episodes with Dr. Kaushik  About Dr. Bruce Damer: Dr. Bruce Damer is a scientist, psychonaut, and humanitarian. Dr. Damer is Chief Scientist at BIOTA Institute, UC Santa Cruz. He is an astrobiologist working on the science of life’s origins, spacecraft design, psychedelics and genius. Dr. Bruce has spent his life pursuing two great questions: how did life on Earth begin, and how can we give that life (and ourselves) a sustainable pathway into the cosmos? A decade of scientific research with his collaborator Prof. David Deamer at the UC Santa Cruz Department of Biomolecular Engineering resulted in the Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life published in the journal Astrobiology in 2019. Dr. Damer also has a long career working with NASA on mission simulation and design and recently co-developed a spacecraft to utilize resources from asteroids. Advancing research into altered-state innovation, Dr. Damer recently cofounded the Center for MINDS. You can keep up with Dr. Bruce Damer on Twitter or read his scientific writings HERE. “Perhaps what we’re doing now is we’re getting ready to go through another one of these compression points and shed off those things and then emerge back out. It’s possibly the time for the greatest spiritual growth as well as intellectual, we have the tools of A.I. It really challenges us to decide what’s essential.” – Dr. Bruce Damer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 12m
  3. 15 AUG

    Ep. 607 – Karma & Kismet with Dr. Michael Shandler

    Discussing the spiritual experiences that shaped his life, Dr. Michael Shandler describes the lessons he learned from taking psychedelics, meeting Baba Hari Dass, and more. Grab your copy of Dr. Michael’s award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, HERE. In this episode, Raghu and Michael have an elaborate discussion on: Dr. Michael’s early encounters with antisemitism and racism in boarding school and the South African militaryThe impact of Zionist upbringing on Dr. Michael’s worldview and his transformative time living in an Israeli kibbutzHealing strained parental relationships: how Dr. Michael overcame challenges with his fatherDr. Michael's time with Baba Hari Dass, Ram Dass’s teacherWhy chasing multiple psychedelic trips may be less valuable than simply integrating lessons from the firstRestoring balance to the nervous system with yogic practices and AyurvedaA heart-centered teaching from Neem Karoli Baba: Poori and PotatoesCheck out Ram Dass’s Here We All Are lecture, mentioned in this episode.  About Dr. Michael Shandler: Dr. Michael Shandler is an award-winning author, speaker, and life coach with over forty years of experience guiding individuals and teams on their journeys toward psycho-spiritual well-being. and optimal performance As the founder of Vision Action Associates and former director of leadership and organization development at Arthur D. Little in London, U.K., Shandler has spent decades helping leaders, teams, and individuals tap into their potential, combining psychological insight with cutting edge collaborative techniques and the perennial wisdom of the ages. In 2024, Shandler’s multiple award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures, and Consciousness, was published by Koehler Books. This award-winning narrative chronicles his personal journey through adversity and triumph, exploring the powerful forces of fate and karma that have shaped his life across continents and cultures. His work resonates with anyone seeking transformation, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of life’s interconnectedness. “During the meeting, he said to me, ‘How many times have you taken LSD?’ Who knew? I didn’t really remember. I said, ‘I can’t really remember Baba Ji.’ He said, ‘The first trip you took was the important one, everything else was a waste of time after that.’”– Dr. Michael Shandler This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon. Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher. Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  4. 8 AUG

    Ep. 606 – Fuel for Change: Exploring the Gift of Anger with Reggie Hubbard

    Explaining all that anger can reveal, activist and yoga instructor Reggie Hubbard encourages listeners to use their anger for positive change. In this week’s episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Reggie reflect upon: Reggie's powerful upbringing as a person of color, shaped by family stories from the Civil Rights era and beyondHow surviving a stroke became a transformative spiritual experience for Reggie  Anger as a gift and friend that can show us injustice, unreconciled pain, and moreHow facing his anger led Reggie to yoga, mindfulness, and spiritual lifeMaharaj-ji’s wisdom: you can be angry, just don’t throw anyone out of your heart.How poverty is pathologized in American society—and the consequences of blaming the poor.What science reveals about the empathy gap in wealthy individuals and its societal impactConsuming less media, talking less, and praying moreWhy the act of surrender can be the most powerful and transformative choice Considering where love is in our reality and figuring out who we really areA meditation as Reggie plays gongs and singing bowls for listeners Read the full article Raghu excerpts in this episode, “What You’ve Suspected Is True: Billionaires Are Not Like Us,” HERE. This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon. Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher. Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening. About Reggie Hubbard: Reggie is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and the founder/chief serving officer of Active Peace Yoga. He has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, major labor unions, leading progressive organizations, and individuals from all walks of life the simple tools for managing stress and bringing peace to mind, body, and spirit. Reggie’s life work sits at the intersection of bringing more peace and balance to activists; guiding the wellness community toward being more engaged, concerned citizens; and enhancing the well-being of all walks of life. Learn more HERE. "You should be outraged, these are outrageous times. What will you do with that outrage? How might that outrage fuel the aims that you seek as opposed to fuel your self-destruction or delusion?” – Reggie Hubbard Photo via Reggie Hubbard See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr
  5. 1 AUG

    Ep. 605 – Music Makes the Medicine with East Forest (Reupload)

    Blending psychedelic wisdom with the sacred power of sound, Raghu Markus and East Forest explore music as a gateway to nonduality, healing, and everyday spirituality. Check out Music for Mushrooms, a narrative documentary highlighting the personal journey of East Forest. In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and East Forest explore: East Forest’s creative process and setting Ram Dass’ teachings to musicPutting trust into the process and the vast audience that East has reachedMusic as a vehicle for nonduality, emotion, and direct spiritual experienceThe infinite potential of music—why we’ll never run out of songsRaghu’s substanceless psychedelic experience listening to John Coltrane Accessing altered states and higher consciousness through multiple pathsThe role of song in indigenous plant medicine and sacred ceremonyBringing spirituality into daily life rather than chasing peak experiencesLiving fully and embracing even the uncomfortable parts of healingLeaning into suffering with tenderness and recognizing that it can bring us closer to God How psychedelics can help us remember that we are all interconnectedThe healing power of motherly and divine love—and how it’s always available to usCosmic peek-a-boo: Remembering that we are loving awareness and not being discouraged when we forgetFrom this episode: Grab a copy of the book Walking Each Other HomeLearn more about Saint Mira Bai and her devotion to KrishnaAbout East Forest: East Forest is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, and ceremony guide. Since 2008, East Forest’s “lush” (Rolling Stone) and “blissful” (NPR) music has blended ambient, neoclassical, electronic, and avant-pop to explore sound as a tool for inner journeys and consciousness expansion. Known for being the first musician to collaborate with Ram Dass, his latest endeavor is the feature-length film Music for Mushrooms, a narrative documentary showcasing the transformative power of psychedelics, music, and community. “There's something about the combination of how music can unlock–it makes the medicine so smooth and the emotion is so amplified that it’s just right there. It’s a core human experience that they're reflecting back, and it’s for all of us.” –  East Forest See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 4m
  6. 25 JUL

    Ep. 604 – Amplified States of Consciousness with Dr. Bruce Damer

    Examining transformative times in human history, Dr. Damer discusses how psychedelics can amplify our consciousness and spark both personal and global change.  In this episode of Mindrolling, Raghu and Dr. Damer explore: Dr. Damer’s recent work with the resurgence of psychedelics as tools for insight, creativity, and expanded consciousnessAltered states of perception and Dr. Damer’s groundbreaking chemical model for the origin of lifeRam Dass’ teachings on transcending roles and realizing the illusion of separatenessBuilding supportive, heart-centered sanghas and collective spiritual communitiesHow MDMA fosters deep feelings of compassion, empathy, and human connectionRaghu’s mystical experience bathing in the Ganges River Evolutionary patterns in history that reveal how groups overcome stress and awakenThe impact of social media on youth mental health and emotional well-beingThe importance of mindful, compassionate youth mentorship and nurturing the next generationHolding onto optimism for our new digital landscape and the people who are creating itLearn more about recent research into psychedelic science in another captivating Mindrolling episode HERE. About Dr. Bruce Damer: Dr. Bruce Damer is a scientist, psychonaut, and humanitarian. Dr. Damer is Chief Scientist at BIOTA Institute, UC Santa Cruz. He is an astrobiologist working on the science of life’s origins, spacecraft design, psychedelics and genius. Dr. Bruce has spent his life pursuing two great questions: how did life on Earth begin, and how can we give that life (and ourselves) a sustainable pathway into the cosmos? A decade of scientific research with his collaborator Prof. David Deamer at the UC Santa Cruz Department of Biomolecular Engineering resulted in the Hot Spring Hypothesis for an Origin of Life published in the journal Astrobiology in 2019. Dr. Damer also has a long career working with NASA on mission simulation and design and recently co-developed a spacecraft to utilize resources from asteroids. Advancing research into altered-state innovation, Dr. Damer recently cofounded the Center for MINDS. You can keep up with Dr. Bruce Damer on Twitter. “For a geeky scientist like me, it was seeing the origin of life from a different perspective, from the first cell division, which led me to propose the chemical model, which has now gone through the field. That was an insight that was absolutely inaccessible to me without some kind of amplification or exaltation of states of consciousness.” –  Dr. Bruce Damer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    50 min
  7. 18 JUL

    Ep. 603 – Wise Fear and Aging Mindfully with Sharon Salzberg and Noah Markus

    Joined by his son, Noah, Raghu invites Sharon Salzberg onto Mindrolling for an expansive conversation on embracing change, understanding the roots of our fear, and aging mindfully.  Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion.  Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.org In this episode, Raghu, Sharon, and Noah explore: The illusion of invulnerability in youth and how our relationship to mortality evolves with ageThe dreamlike and fleeting nature of time and memoryThe societal messages that falsely promise permanence and controlSharon’s concept of ‘misplaced faith’ and the belief that clinging tightly can stop changeOffering compassion to ourselves when we notice resistance to impermanenceKeeping our sense of adventure and curiosity alive, even as it shifts with ageLetting go of rigid expectations and finding new paths to meaning and fulfillmentHolding space for the hard work of aging while recognizing what truly sustains usPost-stroke wisdom from Ram Dass and the important distinction between pain and sufferingGiving yourself a break: the value of not layering blame, shame, or permanence on top of already difficult life experiencesThe three jewels of Buddhism and how practice can help us navigate change and aging Asking ourselves what we can count on and what is still true as we grow older Maintaining the Sangha and social connection as one of our life forcesUnderstanding a bhikkhu, or monk, as someone who "fears wisely" or "sees danger"Being able to look at the roots of our fear Ram Dass’ phrase ‘Walking Each Other Home” and what it means to SharonCheck out the book Still Here by Ram Dass to look deeper into changing, aging, and dying 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, 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 and check out Insight Meditation Society. Dive into Vipassana practice with Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein on Sounds True.  ​​“Most of us have a habit of adding on to that original pain. A sense of isolation, a sense of permanence, a sense of the future, a sense of blame. We pile on and consolidate and what was originally a painful experience becomes this mass of condensed suffering and it hurts so much more. That's why the impetus to let go of those add-ons really comes from a sense of compassion for ourselves. Give yourself a break, it already hurts.” – Sharon Salzberg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    58 min
  8. 11 JUL

    Ep. 602 – The Life and Wisdom of J. Krishnamurti with David Silver

    Delving into the profound teachings of J. Krishnamurti, David Silver and Raghu Markus explore timeless questions of existence, social ethics, and the deeper truths that shape our lives. Mindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion.  Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.org This time on Mindrolling, Raghu and David have a discussion about: The intellectual essence of Krishnamurti initially alienated David and Raghu, and what drew them back inKrishnamurti’s unique childhood and emergence as a "chosen one" by the Theosophical SocietyThe profound lifelong friendship of Aldous Huxley and Krishnamurti Krishnamurti’s teachings on avoiding spiritual bypassing and false ego-driven enlightenmentThe danger of over-identification with any religion, group, or ideology, and how this creates separationUnderstanding that we all have the ultimate truth within us and are all one with everything Krishnamurti’s message that comparison to others, the past, or ideals is a major root of sufferingKrishnamurti’s critique of “social morality,” which often upholds greed, violence, and systemic divisionSeeing through the division that society has nurtured and amplified over centuries Embracing our personal journeys and seeing this life as one chapter in a larger, sacred storyPracticing mindfulness as a path to seeing the truth and being with all of our experiences fullyDavid recommends reading Joseph Goldstein’s book, Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening About J. Krishnamurti: For nearly six decades until his passing in 1986 at the age of ninety, Jiddu Krishnamurti traversed the globe, delivering spontaneous and captivating discourses to large audiences. Krishnamurti assumed the role of an investigator rather than an authority figure, encouraging individuals to question assumptions and explore the depths of their consciousness. His extensive body of work, estimated at over 100 million words, spans more than six decades of relentless inquiry and dialogue. His teachings, compiled in numerous books and translated into multiple languages, continue to inspire seekers worldwide, inviting them to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and understanding. J. Krishnamurti’s legacy endures as a guiding light, offering timeless wisdom for those who dare to challenge conventional thinking and explore the complexities of existence. Listen to Krishnamurti’s lectures on the Be Here Now Network’s Freedom From The Known podcast. 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. 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. "He was an advocate, always, of looking at yourself. He felt that the deeper truths about the meaning of living do not come from anyone else, even if the greatest guru is in front of you, it still comes from what you yourself are truly embedded in properly. In other words, that's what you believe when you're alone, silent, not having to impress, not having to compare."– David Silver See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    57 min

About

Escapades in Mind-Expansion and Cultural Misadventures. Mindrolling Podcast is about coming unstuck and the recent history of awoken awareness. It’s about the intersection of culture, consciousness and realization with Raghu Markus.

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