In this recording from a 1992 retreat, Ram Dass talks about dealing with change, using the stuff of your daily life to get free, and how your karma defines your dharma. 

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 to receive event invitations directly in your inbox: https://www.ramdass.org/fellowship/

Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ramdass and get on your way to being your best self.

This episode of Here and Now is from a talk Ram Dass gave during a retreat at the Omega Foundation in 1992. 

Beginning with quotes from the great poets Kabir and Rumi, Ram Dass talks about how you start to work with each thing in your life as a method, as a practice. What you’ve got in life becomes what you work with, so your karma defines your dharma.

Ram Dass brings up the constant changes we’re dealing with in terms of ecology, ecology, and politics, and how living in “interesting times” can been seen as a blessing instead of a curse. “In dealing with these changes that are going down,” he says, “part of the real art is to look at what is changing and see how your identification with that which changes is creating so much fear in your that you’re pushing against change.”

Continuing with his exploration of change, Ram Dass brings aging and death into the mix. He digs into dealing with changes to the body as we age, and how his work with people who are dying is really work on himself. “For me,” he says, “each act becomes part of the awakening.” 

About Ram Dass:
Ram Dass’s spirit has been a guiding light for generations, carrying millions along on the journey. Ram Dass teaches that through the Bhakti practice of unconditional love, we can all connect with our true nature. Through these teachings, Ram Dass has shared a little piece of his guru, Maharaj-ji, with all who have listened to him.

“And what you do is you just start flipping and taking what you’re given and start to work with it. In other words, your karma defines your dharma. That means what you got is what you work with. I mean, like, my baldness is my karma. I mean, it’s my genetics, it’s everything. Now, it becomes my dharma. Now, I can use it in order to become free of being bald, or being not bald, or whatever.” – Ram Dass

Ram Dass: Your Karma Defines Your Dharma | Here & Now Podcast Ep. 283

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the first nuclear weapons ever used against another country. In this special episode, Communications Director and Guest Host Anna Schumann takes a step back from the hard-hitting policy deep dives Nukes of Hazard is generally known for to speak with Sara Burkinshaw, whose grandmother survived the bombing of Hiroshima. Sara details the moment that made her realize why sharing her grandmother's story matters and what she believes compels young people to understand the dangers of nuclear weapons. For more on her grandmother's story, listen to our episode, "The Human Cost of the Hiroshima Bombing," with Sara's mother, Kathleen Burkinshaw.

Music from www.bensound.com

80 Years Later: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Legacy of Hibakusha

Dissecting the process of her book, The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith joins David to explore bringing depth to our lives via belonging, purpose, transcendence, and storytelling.

Pick up The Power of Meaning HERE: https://www.emilyesfahanismith.com/the-book

This time on the CSM Podcast, David and Emily discuss:
- Positive Psychology: shifting from a focus on what’s wrong to the science of well-being and human flourishing
- How connecting to something greater than ourselves can lead to self-transcendence and deeper meaning
- What scientific research reveals about activities that create a meaningful life
- Making intentional, values-aligned choices instead of following external pressures
- Emily’s four pillars of meaning: belonging, purpose, transcendence, and storytelling
- Finding true community and belonging without reinforcing exclusion or “othering”
- How cultural values are evolving toward greater empathy, compassion, and collective care
- The bodhicitta aspiration: working toward the end of suffering for all beings

About Emily Esfahani Smith:
Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning. A psychotherapist and writer, her articles have appeared in The Atlantic, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Her TED Talk, 'There's more to life than being happy,' has been viewed over 15 million times." Learn more on Emily’s website.
“The more I got into the research, the more that I saw that maybe it’s not happiness that we should be pursuing and glorifying, but maybe it’s this concept of leading a meaningful life.” – Emily Esfahani Smith

About David Nichtern:
David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community.

CSM Podcast Ep. 58 | Bringing Depth to Our Lives with Emily Esfahani Smith & David Nichtern

Renowned meditation teacher, Joseph Goldstein, shares timeless insights on the mind, suffering, and the heart of why we meditate.

Ep. 250 – Why Meditate_

Exploring poetry, beauty, and art, Jack helps his dear listeners appreciate the harmonious dichotomy of all life experiences.

Ep. 301 – The Dharma of Poetry: Rumi, Beauty, Music, and the Art of Awakening

Krishna Das shares time-tested practices and spiritual wisdom for easing suffering, letting go, and treating others with the same compassion we wish for ourselves.

This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das provides wisdom on:
- Navigating the challenges of family relationships and untangling the knots of triggered emotions.
- Channeling our energy into chanting, meditation, and treating others with compassion and respect.
- Working skillfully with the mind rather than trying to control it completely
- Training ourselves, transforming ourselves, and opening ourselves to real grace and love
- Investigating deeply into the roots of our thoughts and emotions to understand their true source
- Turning inwards and knowing that we can find answers to all of our questions within ourselves 
- Krishna Das’ go-to practice when he is having a difficult time: chanting 108 Hanuman Chalisas 
- Making daily space for spiritual practice to strengthen the heart and mind
- Relieving suffering through deidentification with the stories that we tell ourselves 
- The difference between letting go and pushing away 
 
“We can’t push people around, abuse people, hurt people, and think we're gonna get everything we want. That’s creating terrible negative karma for ourselves. We have to learn to treat others the way we ourselves want to be treated. If you think that’s easy, you've got another thing coming.” – Krishna Das

About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.”  With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.

MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas

Krishna Das: The Golden Rule Meets The Bhakti Path | Pilgrim Heart Podcast Ep. 183

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: https://www.michaelshandler.com/books

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 military
- The impact of Zionist upbringing on Dr. Michael’s worldview and his transformative time living in an Israeli kibbutz
- Healing strained parental relationships: how Dr. Michael overcame challenges with his father
- Dr. Michael's time with Baba Hari Dass, Ram Dass’s teacher
- Why chasing multiple psychedelic trips may be less valuable than simply integrating lessons from the first
- Restoring balance to the nervous system with yogic practices and Ayurveda
- A heart-centered teaching from Neem Karoli Baba: Poori and Potatoes

Check out Ram Dass’s Here We All Are lecture, mentioned in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20cqxk7zvH0 

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

Karma & Kismet with Dr. Michael Shandler & Raghu Markus | Mindrolling  Ep. 607

Immersing listeners in hope and optimism, author Anne Lamott helps listeners cultivate resilience through stories of honesty and service.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.

In this episode, Anne Lamott holds a talk on:
- Service to others and selflessness as a clear path to hope
- Listening to the one-man band of our inner selves 
- The Three A’s in the 12-step program: Awareness, Acceptance, Action
- Allowing ourselves to feel the pain all around us, in the world, in our families, etc.
- Remembering that there is a solution to everything and that it is always spiritual 
- Reframing death as a step to new life and regeneration 
- Generosity as a natural human tendency that can be tapped into 
- Talking to ourselves as if we are our most cherished friend 
- Paying attention to the beauty in life and within ourselves

About Anne Lamott: 
Anne Lamott is the New York Times best-selling author of many books, including collections of essays, novels, and long-form non-fiction, including the classic writing manual Bird by Bird and child-rearing memoir Operating Instructions. In addition to being a novelist and nonfiction writer, Lamott is also a progressive political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher. Keep up with Anne on Instagram.

"Service is always a path to hope. When we can get out of ourselves and be there for others, it's what heaven will be like—what heaven on earth is like." – Anne Lamott

Ep. 220 - Dopey Hope- Cultivating Resilience Through Honesty & Service with Anne Lamott

In this recording from a 1992 retreat, Ram Dass talks about dealing with change, using the stuff of your daily life to get free, and how your karma defines your dharma. 

You can support this podcast, listen to episodes AD-FREE, and receive regular guided meditations from Ram Dass & Friends on our Patreon. Sign up for a free 7-day trial: patreon.com/RamDassPodcast

Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ramdass and get on your way to being your best self.

This episode of Here and Now is from a talk Ram Dass gave during a retreat at the Omega Foundation in 1992. 

Beginning with quotes from the great poets Kabir and Rumi, Ram Dass talks about how you start to work with each thing in your life as a method, as a practice. What you’ve got in life becomes what you work with, so your karma defines your dharma.
Ram Dass brings up the constant changes we’re dealing with in terms of ecology, politics, and how living in “interesting times” can be seen as a blessing instead of a curse. “In dealing with these changes that are going down,” he says, “part of the real art is to look at what is changing and see how your identification with that which changes is creating so much fear in you that you’re pushing against change.”
Continuing with his exploration of change, Ram Dass brings aging and death into the mix. He digs into dealing with changes to the body as we age, and how his work with people who are dying is really work on himself. “For me,” he says, “each act becomes part of the awakening.” 
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 to receive event invitations directly in your inbox: https://www.ramdass.org/fellowship/

“And what you do is you just start flipping and taking what you’re given and start to work with it. In other words, your karma defines your dharma. That means what you got is what you work with. I mean, like, my baldness is my karma. I mean, it’s my genetics, it’s everything. Now, it becomes my dharma. Now, I can use it in order to become free of being bald, or being not bald, or whatever.” – Ram Dass

Ram Dass: Every Human Being Has a Right To Be Fed | Here & Now  Ep. 284

Our phones, our cars, our televisions, our homes: they’re all getting smarter. Artificial intelligence is already inextricably woven into everyday life, and its impact will only grow in the coming years. But while this development inspires much discussion among members of the scientific community, public opinion on artificial intelligence has remained relatively unknown. 

Artificial Intelligence: American Attitudes and Trends, a report published earlier in January by the Center for the Governance of AI, explores this question. Its authors relied on an in-depth survey to analyze American attitudes towards artificial intelligence, from privacy concerns to beliefs about U.S. technological superiority. Some of their findings--most Americans, for example, don’t trust Facebook--were unsurprising. But much of their data reflects trends within the American public that have previously gone unnoticed.    

This month Ariel was joined by Baobao Zhang, lead author of the report, to talk about these findings. Zhang is a PhD candidate in Yale University's political science department and research affiliate with the Center for the Governance of AI at the University of Oxford. Her work focuses on American politics, international relations, and experimental methods. 

In this episode, Zhang spoke about her take on some of the report’s most interesting findings, the new questions it raised, and future research directions for her team. Topics discussed include: 
-Demographic differences in perceptions of AI
-Discrepancies between expert and public opinions
-Public trust (or lack thereof) in AI developers
-The effect of information on public perceptions of scientific issues

Artificial Intelligence: American Attitudes and Trends with Baobao Zhang

The Future of Life Institute (FLI) is a nonprofit working to reduce global catastrophic and existential risk from powerful technologies. In particular, FLI focuses on risks from artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, nuclear weapons and climate change.

The Institute's work is made up of three main strands: grantmaking for risk reduction, educational outreach, and advocacy within the United Nations, US government and European Union institutions.

FLI has become one of the world's leading voices on the governance of AI having created one of the earliest and most influential sets of governance principles: the Asilomar AI Principles.