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We are very happy to present to you this interview with Gregor Maehle that was recorded around a year ago. Gregor’s path is a remarkable example of limitless determination to find the Truth. While not attempting to gain popularity and fame his ideas and views can be polarising, provoking and challenging. He dismisses authorities, hierarchies, guru worship and other unhealthy group dynamics. By doing so he is not only living out authentically one of the fundamental yogic attitudes of willing to know, rather than to believe, but also plays an extremely important social role that is becoming more and more scarce in today’s poisoned with political correctness world – by not sweetening up his words, pointing out things that are broken, views that are wrong and actions that are unethical he invites all of us to question our assumptions of reality, so that we can finally wake up from our ignorant slumber and experience the true joy of being.It is in sincere gratitude for his guidance on the path of Yoga that we release this interview.Show notesFirst glimpses of infinityDoer mentality, surrendering and graceWhat led Gregor to the practice of the 8-limbed YogaImmersing into teachings today vs in old timesTibetian Ngöndro, Six Yogas of Naropa, DzogchenPurification practices within the Ashtanga Yoga tradition and the mechanisms behind themWhy your meditation doesn’t workHappiness and robotic conditioningGregor’s spiritual practice and the sense of freedomBreath wavesExperience of Cosmic intelligence on different levelsThe differences and similarities of different spiritual pathsSvadharmaGregor’s observation of the modern Yoga landscapeTo find out more about Gregor’s teaching, learning materials, courses and in-depth blog article visit https://8limbs.com/Check out new book by Gregor Maehle: “How To Find Your Life’s Divine Purpose: Brain software for a new civilization”Head over to www.escaping-samsara.com to discover more episodes.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Buddhist teachings deep dive episode 2 with Leigh Brasington.  Buddhist suttas, stream entry, interpretations of the jhanas, Daniel M. Ingram, 32 body types contemplations and much more. If you think this description is geeky, check out the episode to see what geeky really means  🤓Show notesStudying Buddhist suttas and commentaries, Visuddhimagga and AbhidhammaStream entry, interpretation, importance and application of buddhist modelsPulling out mile markersLong-term practice, improvement and reduction of dukha and unshakable peaceOn Daniel M. Ingram's sub-jhanas, excitement about and usefullness of experienceContemplation on 32 body typesHead over to www.escaping-samsara.com for the full list of references from this interview.You can find many more great references on Leigh's website.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Leigh has been practicing meditation since 1985. He is the senior American student of the late Ven. Ayya Khema. He began teaching retreats in Europe and North America in 1997, and is the author of the book "Right Concentration - A Practical Guide to the Jhanas". This is first part of our in-depth exploration of different aspects of Buddhist teachings that Leigh generously took time and energy for. Show notesThe falling of the veil, spiritual hedonism and world tripThe story of Theravada nun Ayya KhemaWays to look at Pratītyasamutpāda - dependent originationFive skandhas, Eckart Tolle and taking a nap Emptiness or Śūnyatā, inherent existence and the deathlessImmortality projectLeighs process of studying the SuttasWhat are Jhanas or the stages of indestructible mindMorality, concentration, wisdomJhanas as a spectrum of concentration statesAs you go deeper the space of observer gets smallerDon't get fooled by your conceptsLeigh's and Nathan's take on the spiritual world of todayHow Buddhism translates into Western cultureHead over to www.escaping-samsara.com for the full list of references from this interview. You can find many more great references on Leigh's website.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Norway-born, Kathmandu-based KPJAYI authorised level 2 Ashtanga yoga teacher, co-founder of the first Ashtanga studio In Oslo, buddhist practitioner and scholar of Himalayan languages and Tibetan philology - Ellen Johannesen shares with us her fascinating life story as we change between buddhist and yogic perspectives exploring the path to liberation.Show notesFrom contemporary dance to yogaMovement patterns, innate animal logic and asanaThe act of balancing or playing with the forces outside of youYogic Yamas & Niyamas vs. Buddhist ParamisRegaining subtle body awareness through asana Relocating to Nepal and studying Buddhism, Himalayan languages, Tibetan philology How studying sutras and scriptures slowly changes youDependent origination and breaking the patternPractices aiming at removing samskarasReconciling Yogic and Buddhist perspectives100.000 prostrations in Bodh GayaMaking meritIf you ever in Nepal and want to practice with Ellen or just curious to find out more about her work - visit Ashtanga Nepal website.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

A lover of the ancient and obscure, Forrest Knutson is a yogi householder, writer and meditation teacher. He offers many great video instructions on Kriya Yoga and meditation on his YouTube channel, as well as through his courses and trainings.Show notesSearch for Truth, "Hamsa" meditation and first spiritual experienceJoining monastic communityLahiri Mahasaya and BabajiWondering up in the hillsKriyaEnlightenment equasion, samadhi, layman vs monastic practice"Remedial teacher", heart rate variability and "3 cardial rules"Kechari MudraAnalogies with buddhist Jhana practice7 Kriyasa of Lahiri, buddhist 5 breath statesCheck out Forrest Knutson's YouTube Channel, his website  and his book "Hacking the Universe: The Process of Yogic Meditation".Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

We are beyond excited to kick off the new year with these 2 beautiful guests - Deepika Mehta and Mark Robberds. Yoga couple, Ashtanga practitioners and movement specialists, teachers and successful Instagramers, humble and curious beings on the spiritual path - which of these labels come close to who they really are? Listen in - link in the bio!Show notesDeepika's path to spirituality Relationships, practice and parenthood Pareto principle in Mark's approach to maintaining the practiceAging: Flexibility means fragility? Movement exploration rooted in the yogic tristana Benefits of a set sequence and creativity, yoga and surfingHaṭhābhyāsapaddhatiPranayama, Breathwork and Wim Hoff?James Nestor and Simon Borg-Olivier Cultural appropriation and Mula Bandha underwearMark's Instagram journeyMeditation practice and personal challenges3 new online courses Deepika Mehta – https://deepikamehta.in/Mark’s website – https://markrobberds.com/Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati is the Founder and Spiritual Director of Kashi Atlanta, a nonprofit urban yoga ashram that has served Atlanta for 21 years. She is an urban yoga monk, working to inspire people to live deeply, loving everyone along the way.Swami has studied yoga, pranayama (yogic breath), meditation, and healing in-depth since 1985. She took her monastic vows in the Saraswati lineage of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati and was given the title Yoga Acharya (master teacher of yoga) in 2007.She taught at the 2004 Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona, Spain, and was Grand Marshal of the 2015 Atlanta Pride Parade in recognition of decades of work with the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities. In our chat, we get deep on topics such as pranayama, kundalini and karma yoga.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Nathan is joined by Marc Kate and Chad Lott from "Scary Thoughts Podcast" to discuss Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now."Unless you've been stuck in a Twitter flame war for the last 20 years, you will know about Tolle's bestselling spiritual treatise. But is it a classic or a self-help rip off?  We discuss the book, it's flaws and strengths and come to some new conclusions.We also discover Marc and Chad's meditation practices, the effect of nihilism and find out what Eckhart Tolle and Charles Manson have in common.http://scarythoughts.org/ https://failingforms.bandcamp.com/Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Harmony Slater is Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and teacher based in Calgary, Canada. Her search for meaning led her from ballet dancing to studying philosophy, religion and psychology, travelling to China to learn Buddhist meditation and eventually meeting Sri. K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. In this lively conversation we talk about her path and discuss many other topics: Entranced by Sri Yantra - first mystical experiencesDifferent internal drishtis during asana practice and the meditative aspect of it Harmony's study of the mind in academical and practical settingDarkness, addiction and the light of knowledge as a ladder for the intellect Anorexia, body dysmorphia, not good enoughThe strong remedy of Ashtanga YogaOn Pranayama and KundaliniHarmony is also a host of Finding Harmony Podcast, where she interviews many interesting yogis and fellow seekers in a very entertaining and uplifting way.Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

In this episode we talk with John and Julia Scott about the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, their take on different aspects of yogic teachings, personal experiences and relationships. Drishti, Pratyahara and the definition of concentrationThe story of Julia's first spiritual experienceJohn's take on Tristana and introduction of a count as a further focus dimensionThoughts on structure and meditation in yogic vs. buddhist contextAbout Advanced A / 3rd Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa yogaBreathing dimensions, count and mantra"Ayahuasca is for everyone, but not everyone is for Ayahuasca" (Danny Paradise)Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Dr. Erik Davis is an American writer, scholar, journalist and public speaker whose writings have ranged from rock criticism to cultural analysis to creative explorations of mysticism. Few people are able to talk about the spirituality with  a precision and accuracy born of a commitment to always remain open to the Mystery.  Erik shares his own path, describing how he maintains scientific viewpoint while also embracing the weird and unknown aspects in all religions, especially Christianity and Buddhism.We talk in detail about "the psychonaut"scientifically minded explorers who use psychedelics in an attempt to map the fringes and consciousness - places where there might still be dragons. Show Notes3.00 Spiritual and uncanny experiences occurred in Erik’s childhood bedroom7.00 Fear and fascination 14.00 How Erik spans science and spirituality19.00 Erik’s deep experience with Christian art24.00 “The weirdest year of your life”27.00 Erik on prayer and grace32. 00 “America can’t escape the shadow of puritanism”36.00 Psychonauts vs religious seekers 45.30 Psychosis as an occupational hazard57.00 Practical Buddhist ethics1.03.00 The role of a spiritual teacher1.08.00 When Erik met Ram DassFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Sebene Selassie is an African American Buddhist teacher. She has been studying Buddhism for 30 years and teaching for 10. She has worked extensively for not-for-profit organisations everywhere from the Tenderloin in San Francisco to refugee camps in Guinea, West Africa. This year, she published her first book via HarperOne titled You Belong: A Call for Connection. In this enriching conversation we tackle the kind of tough subjects that we all think about but need to talk about more. Why have women been sidelined in Buddhist lineages? How can the Dharma respond to racial strife and injustice? And how we can heal cultures of harm wherever we find ourselves. Show Notes3.00 First experiences with bhakti yoga6.00 History of women in Buddhism 10.00 Sebene's journey through Buddhist schools14.45 Kuan Yin and devotional practice19.45 The question of cultural appropriation 25.30 How studying history can aid liberation27.10 The complex problem of unconscious bias30.30 What was left out when Buddhism was exported  35.00 Good ol’ psychedelics 38.50 Ancestral healing 46.30 How we might heal racism in dharma communities55.00 It’s not about separation 57.50 Guilt vs responsibility1.00.00 “The dhamma answers its context” Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

David Williams is 71 years old. He began yoga practice at the age of 20. He was one of the first foreigners to travel to India in the early 1970s to learn yoga. He was the first non-Indian to learn the complete Ashtanga Vinyasa syllabus from Pattabhi Jois. He was one of the few people certified by Pattabhi Jois to teach all four asana series and the pranayama. He has practised Ashtanga Yoga daily, without interruption since 1973, perhaps longer than anyone else alive. He lives in Maui, Hawaii. His memoir of travelling the world and learning yoga, MY SEARCH FOR YOGA is available from his website, ashtangayogi.com.Show notesGetting into Yoga and choosing a life of freedomEarly influencersFirst Westerner to learn all four series of Ashtanga YogaDavid's favourite excerpt from Katha UpanishadWorking with meditation in the asana and  Bandhas and Drishti in forward folds as taught by Sri KrishnamacharyaKechari Mudra and Kevala KumbhakaReal alchemy of YogaWorking with SamskarasYamas and NiyamasThoughts on pain and injury and Patthabi Jois's way of teachingKrishnamacharya, adjustments and evolution of his teaching methodologyStrong adjustments and long-time practiceFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

This is a second interview in our two-part special with yoga teachers Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman. In our first conversation we were primarily focusing on different aspects of the Yoga practice. Now in this episode we explore the relationship between Yoga and Buddhism. We look closely at the content of both teachings to understand how they intersect, whether they are talking about same or similar things just under different angles, what is the reason between different emphasis of those, as well as how both traditions can support each other if you bring enough curiosity and create a space for a dialogue. Show notesThe relationship between Patanjali's 8 limbs and Buddha's 8  folded Path Different ways of setting the stage for compassion to arise in the yogic and buddhist traditions Yogic Samadhi vs. Buddhist Samadhi Navigating the diversity of practices  References to Truth in Buddhism and Yoga, differences between solidifying authority vs. investigating authority  Don't know mind The taste of Nirodha Different emphasis on purification practices in yogic and buddhist traditions Role of asana in buddhist schools and how the traditions come to communication in recent times Thoughts on the common synergy of yogic asana practice with Vipassana style meditation between yoga practitioners Pranayama, the sweetness of Kumbhaka and the right attitudeFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude, and we are honoured to bring you a very special series of conversations with a yogic couple, who have influenced the world of modern yoga probably more than anyone else. Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor dedicated their lives to practice and study of the spiritual traditions of the East and are sharing the knowledge revealed to them humbly and graciously with their students. Show notes Mary's reflections on her first spiritual experiencesGroundedness, embodiment and the connection to the environment  Dropping of the breath as the beginning of YogaThe roots of Richard's subtle body teachingsHow far away is esoteric from ordinary?Release of the soft palate and the concept of Nada AnusandhanMeditational aspects of the asana practice, subtle body alignments and how different schools of thought encompass each otherVisualisation, idolatry and guidance Role of Pranayama in removing of Samskaras and how you can make them worseAesthetics, emotionality and beautyTadagi MudraNauli in KukkutasanaSeparating grains from chaff or thoughts on finding a teacherSecret to good relationship :)Ethical aspect of romantic relationship between teacher and studentOngoing process of Ashtanga community dealing with Patthabi Jois's sexual abuseRichard's take on the modern world of yogaFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Bhante Panna is an American monk living in a forest monestry near Bangkok. He has a popular Instagram (@bronthepath} where he shares his life of contemplation. In this conversation we address monkhood, spiritual powers, communing with nature, ending racism, and liberation. I know you're going to like this one!Show Notes2.50 Bhante’s spiritual awakening while climbing a mountain 11.40 The spirituality of Thailand 14.00 Bhante’s daily routine and life as a monk24.00 How celibacy has given Bhante a new sense of freedom27.00 The roots of African spirituality32.30 Discussing siddhis or extra-normal powers associated with meditation 37.40 Empathy with snakes and scorpions and chilling with Nature44.00 Black meditation matters49.50 Liberation and racial conditioning 54.00 Cultural healing in spiritual communities58.00 The spiritual landscape of the world todayFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Anthony "Prem" Carlisi has been practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga for over 40 years. He learned directly from Pattabhi Jois in 1978 for several months in Southern California. In 1979, he was amongst the first small group of Western students to study with Jois in his home town of Mysore, India. He is considered one of the American pioneers of Ashtanga yoga, along with David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson and Tim Miller. Prem was certified to teach the primary, intermediate and advanced series of Ashtanga yoga in 1994. He also completed a four-year course of ayurvedic study in 1984 with Dr. Vasant Lad and has been studying tantric techniques since 1990. In 2007, Prem published his first book, The Only Way Out Is In, which is his commentary on the synergy of the three life sciences of Ashtanga yoga, ayurveda and tantra. He and his partner Heather "Radha" Duplex are now based primarily in Ubud, Bali for 6-8 months of the year, and 3-4 months in Kauai, Hawaii with Pineapple Yoga. They offer daily Mysore classes in both locations, as well as trainings for teachers, intensives and workshops that deepen the understanding of Ashtanga yoga, ayurveda and tantra.Show Notes1.40 First spiritual experiences with psychedelics5.50 Intersection with psychedelics and traditional spiritual practices 10.00 The practice of dying while living23.00 Tapas and purification29.30 The sudden death of Prem’s daughter and how he dealt with the grief37.30 How Prem lost his way and found it again39.30 Siddhis40.50 Advice for his younger self42.00 Importance of meditation practice50.00 Surrender and the Buddha’s “middle path”54.00 Eight limbs are a foundational practice57.00 Pranayama and when to do it60.30 Wim Hoff techniquehttps://www.ashtangayogabali.com/Feel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Oliver is a Registered Physiotherapist, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. He is a long-term practitioner of Zen Buddhism, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vinyasa Krama Yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya. He is a passionate proponent of evidence-based rehabilitation and person-centred care and loves helping people get back to moving at their best. This is a different kind of episode. This time we gathered questions of our listeners on different social media platforms and asked Oliver about his opinion. This a very practical episode that hopefully will help some of you into a safer and less painful practice.  Show notesTight psoas and lower back discomfortProlapsed discs and continuing practiceStrengthening of unstable shoulder joint How to assess the seriousness of the shoulder injuryTight hamstrings and psoas and forward bendsIs grabbing your ankles during backbending safe?Hand placement in Lagu Vajrasana - ankles vs. calves?Is practicing Ashtanga 6 days a week safe? Examples of conflict between traditional way of teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa and modern physiotherapy approachHow to protect your lumber spine?Are there certain asanas that will more likely lead to injuries as the body gets older? Knee painShoulders: Strengths vs. stiffness Thigh rotation in VisvamitrasanaIf you want to get in touch with Oliver or find out more about his work visit https://www.yogicphysio.com Further references from the episodeDiscussion about sissy squats - Beard the best you can be Instagram account Lorimer Moseley's Ted talk - Why Things HurtIain Grysak - "Movement Homeopathy" in Ashtanga Yoga practiceMatthew Sweeney episodeSimon Borg-Olivier episodeFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

This is a documentary style episode with Rumana Afroze, a wandering ascetic from Bangladesh. She is a member of Bauls, a mystical sect found in Bangladesh and West Bengal following the teachings of Lalon Shah, an influential 20th century mystic saints of the Indian subcontinent. Estimated to have composed thousands of songs, Lalon and his followers went on to influence such greats minds like Rabindranath Tagor, the Bengali poet, Allan Ginsberg and Bob Dylan. To contemporary Bangladeshis he is like Shakespeare, Martin Luther King and Ekhart Tolle rolled into one. Lalon’s songs, especially when heard in their original Bangla, are said to have the power to propel people to spiritual heights.---Check our website for more content: http://escaping-samsara.com/Enjoyed this podcast? Please, leave a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunesFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.

Ajahn Achalo an Australian buddhist monk and current abbot of Anandagiri Forest Monastery in North Thailand. He was born in Brisbane and ordained in the lineage of Ajahn Chah in 1996. In recent times he has created some extensive online teachings that are proving popular on meditation apps, Spotify and the like. You can find his writings and Dharma talks on the website of the monastery. In this conversation, Ajahn Achalo generously shared his thoughts on many intricate aspects of Buddhist practice. The ease and open-heartedness with which he engaged in conversation with us is something very special. Listen in.Show notesListening to the sound of the wavesFirst spiritual instruction from a hippie in a new age bookstoreFrom discovering Metta meditation to recording guided instructions for practitionersWill Metta come automatically if you practice enough Vipassana?How death mediation practice can lead to enhanced self aversionCore toolbox meditation practices, qualities of the Buddha and how to relate to themBrahma Viharas and Jhana meditation, becoming and desire energies in our practiceDangers of overestimating your results, difference between Upacara Samadhi and JhanaRole of contentment and gratitude, and the practice of celibacyThe story of the forest monkIntentions in Metta meditation and the importance of carrying them into the worldExploring teachings of different schools of Buddhism, learning from Dalai LamaThe story behind Nathan’s Maitreya tattooNew books and the story behind Ajahn Achalo’s over 3500 hrs of meditation at Bodh GayaWhat constitutes Enlightenment---Check our website for more content: http://escaping-samsara.com/Enjoyed this podcast? Please, leave a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunesFeel grateful and would like to support us? Thank you!Here is our PAYPAL or  PATREON account for contributions.