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Today's episode is an interview revisited that originally aired in February of 2022. Our guest is Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chödrön, who spent decades living, practicing, and receiving teachings from two uncompromising yogic masters of our time. She speaks about devotion, the hidden oral lineages of Tantric practice, the yogas of tsalung and tummo, and what it means to stop playing games with yourself. Time notes: 00:00:00 — Introduction 00:02:07 — First encounter with dharma 00:09:51 — Karmic seeds ripening 00:11:38 — Lama Dawa and what is a ngakpa? 00:17:53 — Responsibility for the elements 00:19:00 — Examples of elemental mastery 00:21:27 — Lama Dawa's qualities as a teacher 00:22:45 — Why Lamas avoid spirit talk 00:26:58 — Life after Lama Dawa's passing 00:30:50 — Meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 00:39:24 — Desire for an uncompromising teacher 00:39:33 — Renunciation sparked by Yeshe Tsogyal 00:42:18 — Rigdzin Sökdrup lineage 00:42:45 — Years of retreat in Nepal 00:51:34 — On tsalung 01:01:39 — Tending the body: Lu Jong, neyjang 01:04:24 — Subtle energetic systems explained 01:10:15 — Bliss and emptiness connection 01:13:40 — Intimate retreat with a teacher 01:14:02 — Uniqueness of guru-disciple model 01:18:31 — Finding teachers today 01:18:39 — Sacrifices required   For more episodes with Khandro Kunzang: Devotion, Maturation & the Guru https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-devotion-maturation-the-guru/   Vajrakilaya, Guru Rinpoche Prophecies & the Mandala Principle https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-vajrakilaya-guru-rinpoche-prophecies-the-mandala-principle/   Elemental Spirits, Vajra Armor & Dharma Marriage https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-elemental-spirits-vajra-armor-dharma-marriage/   Cultivating Siddhis, Tukdam, Lineage Protection & Consortship https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-cultivating-siddhis-tukdam-lineage-protection-consortship/   Further Links: Connect with Khandro Kunzang  https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/   Learn About & Support the P'hurba Peace Mandala Project https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/the-peace-mandala-project/   Podcast website & episode transcript: https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-the-oral-instruction-lineage-ngagpas-himalayan-yogas-of-tsa-lung-and-tummo/

Today's episode is an interview revisited that originally aired in August of 2022, with the wandering practitioner, Tseyang Pharchen. Tseyang has spent over twelve years retreating in remote and sacred places throughout Bhutan. Time notes: 00:00:00 — Introduction 00:01:15 — What drew Tseyang to mountain retreats 00:01:32 — Nature's effect on the mind 00:04:13 — The first retreat, inner conviction and obstacles 00:09:46 — On not setting goals 00:15:44 — Settling into a hidden sacred cave 00:18:29 — Doubt and inner knowing 00:19:26 — Challenges of navigating remote places as a woman 00:22:52 — Day-in-the-life of retreat 00:31:19 — What to look for when choosing a retreat place 00:33:43 — Influenced devotion vs. natural devotion 00:35:45 — Closing remarks and final advice, followed by a song from Tseyang

Today our guest is Sean Price. Sean is an English monk who has spent decades sitting with some of the greatest living masters and chasing down rare texts before they disappear. As director of Tibetan Publications for the Tsadra Foundation and the oral interpreter for Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, he has devoted himself to making the dharma accessible. In this conversation, Sean speaks about what it truly means to have a relationship with a spiritual teacher, a common mistake on the path of realization, and the unexpected journeys behind preserving wisdom for future generations.   Time notes: 00:00:00: Introduction 00:02:20: Guides who shaped Sean's path 00:05:22: Master and their own unmistakable flavor 00:10:30: The one thread running through all great masters 00:13:00: Three things needed for translation to truly work 00:17:46: The overlooked yogi everyone should know about 00:18:16: Saraha, spontaneous songs 00:19:00: Hunting a rare text in Varanasi 00:25:23: What Shabkar shows us about real relationship 00:28:00: His entire life's practice fit on one page 00:30:00: Spiritual abundance as an obstacle 00:32:03: Chasing rare texts before they disappear 00:32:30: The giants of rare text preservation 00:37:47: The Khenpo Gangshar project 00:42:20 Tsele's writings and why three masters were devoted to saving them 00:45:30: Pure motivation, honest mistakes, and an open invitation   Links: Tsadra Foundation https://www.tsadra.org/   Post Listen Episode with Sangye Khandro https://oliviaclementine.com/sangye-khandro-on-the-three-kayas-embracing-the-dharma/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Tashi Dekyid Monet is a Tibetan scholar, writer, and translator who grew up in the Eastern Tibetan Highlands in the rhythms of nomadic and agricultural life, where time is measured by light and shadow, where songs carry cosmological wisdom and where knowing the face of the land means being woven into a web of reciprocal relationships with all four realms of beings. Through explorations of oral tradition, sacred geography, spiritual songs, and the concept of tendrel, or auspicious connection, Tashi offers insights into ways of knowing that nurture belonging, protect sacred knowledge, and recognize land itself as a teacher. Time notes: 00:00:00 — Introduction  00:01:30 — Nomadic Highlands, Sacred Peaks 00:07:00 — Village Life as Education 00:10:00 — Light, Shadow, Flowers and Birds Tell the Time 00:16:00 — Knowing the Face of the Land 00:19:30 — When Land Extends Your Very Self 00:22:30 — Songs That Carry Cosmological Wisdom 00:26:00 — Tashi Sings 00:29:30 — The Yogi Shabkar and the Sacred Mountain 00:34:00 — A Dream Visit With the Mountain King 00:38:00 — Four Realms 00:42:30 — Consequences of Breaking Reciprocity 00:46:00 — The Secret Layer  00:50:00 — Protecting Knowledge From Extraction 00:54:00 — What Is Tendrel? 00:58:00 — Recognizing Auspicious Connections  01:02:00 — Raising Children in a Foreign Land 01:06:00 — Tashi Sings: Exquisite Abundance 01:10:30 — A Closing Prayer for Auspiciousness ~ Links: Post-listen episode: Drukmo Gyal: Ngakma Lifestyle, Slowing Down & Balancing the Inner Elements https://oliviaclementine.com/drukmo-gyal-ngakma-lifestyle-slowing-down-balancing-the-inner-elements/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

In this conversation, we sit down in Pharping Nepal with Josh Kinney, a western practitioner who spent over two decades immersed in the living meditation traditions of Nangchen in Eastern Tibet training under some of its most extraordinary masters, including the force of nature Yogi Pema Dorje, and the renowned Lhagen Pema Drimed. You will hear stories of cave retreats, Tibetan yogas, dark retreat practice, and what it means to enter this remotely held lineage as an outsider with devotion and a willingness to keep showing up. Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:39 First steps into dharma 00:03:24 Eastern Tibet 00:04:12 Putting on robes 00:05:54 Adeu Rinpoche 000:9:58 Meeting Yogi Pema Dorje 00:12:27 Cave retreats and ngondro 00:14:59 Five Buddha family teachings 00:19:13 Sealed retreats with Pema Dorje 00:25:13 Tibetan yogas 00:27:15 Dark retreat 00:30:22 Pema Dorje's early life and tests 00:36:40 Naked yogi tales 00:39:08 Retreat training style 00:43:23 Lhagen Pema Drimed 00:49:57 Guided retreat stories 00:53:53 Chudlen essence practice 00:58:24 Dark retreat with friends 01:03:00 Peter Galambos as an example 01:04:43 Outer, inner and secret retreat 01:07:00 3-year retreat and serendipity as the way   Links: Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0mVOZmJ5bg   Josh Kinney: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.kinney.524 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcguru29   Support building a dark retreat hermitage at Gebchak: In response to Tsogyal Rinpoche and senior Gebchak female practitioners asking Josh to advise and direct the building of this future dark retreat center at the mother nunnery of Gebchak, in Eastern Tibet, Josh is currently requesting support to make this vision come to fruition. This space will be able to hold 15 practitioners at a time and will include bathrooms and a communal kitchen. You can make an offering here, and Josh will send you a receipt for your gift: paypal.me/gebchakyogis For questions, you can write Josh: mcreynolds290 (at) gmail (dot) com   Suggested Episode Series: On the Gebchak Yoginis, a 3 Part Series with Elizabeth McDougal: Part One: https://oliviaclementine.com/elizabeth-mcdougal-the-gebchak-yoginis-part-one/   Love & Liberation podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Time notes: [00:07:45] - Lakota and intuition [00:10:29] - The highest intelligence   [00:16:03] - The spiritual umbilical cord  [00:21:20] -33 intelligences [00:27:51] - Relationship with time and timelessness [00:31:37] - Morning ritual of perception [00:34:48] - Innocence [00:40:42] - The elder at the creek [00:46:16] - Language of grief [00:54:16] - Using energy wisely Music included is from Tiokasin called 'Butterfly Against the Wind' This conversation originally aired on February 22, 2022 ~ Links: Tiokasin Ghosthorse and First Voices Indigenous Radio https://firstvoicesindigenousradio.org/production/tiokasin-ghosthorse   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts   Post-Listen suggested episode with Kunzang Choden https://oliviaclementine.com/kunzang-choden-bhutanese-heritage-dorji-linga-part-one/

Dr. Andrea Loseries is a scholar, professor, and yogic practitioner. You'll hear about Andrea's more than 50 years of research and spiritual practice that includes incredible accounts of risk, discernment, and devotion on her path of transformation. Time notes: 00:01:06 - Journeying to the Himalayas to study with yogic masters 00:07:38 - Taking the Karmapa as her teacher 00:12:28 - From village girl to lady in 6 months 00:16:05 - Ancient Bon religion and bone ritual objects 00:20:34 - The confiscated skull  00:23:53 - The legendary Snow Lion Expedition 00:35:56 - Guidance on choosing malas and ritual objects 00:38:51 - Learning chod practice with Chatral Rinpoche 00:49:19 - On purity and impurity at the cremation ground 00:55:02 - Being a woman at the cremation ground 01:04:30 - Using oil from burning bodies for a Mahakala lamp This conversation originally aired on March 14, 2023 ~ Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts   Post-listen episode with Kulavadhuta Satpurananda: https://oliviaclementine.com/kulavadhuta-satpurananda-the-path-of-a-yogi-gone-beyond/

Christina Monson spent decades studying with the meditation master Chatral Rinpoche in the mountains of Nepal and translating and practicing the teachings of Sera Khandro. But it was facing stage four cancer that revealed whether decades of practice could meet the greatest pain with the greatest teaching. This conversation, recorded less than a year before Christina's passing, offers a window into what it means to follow one's heart all the way through, free of regrets. ~ Time notes: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:02:18] Meeting Chatral Rinpoche [00:08:48] Seeing Her Ego Up Close [00:14:10] A Nomad's Temperament [00:17:57] Mountain Retreat [00:25:08] Discovering Sera Khandro [00:27:30] The Rhythm of Retreat [00:28:48] No Sessions, No Breaks [00:32:09] About Sera Khandro [00:36:37] Grief and Terminal Diagnosis [00:43:47] Everything as a Test of Practice [00:47:45] Natural Process of Illness [00:49:04] Precious moments [00:51:18] Sera Khandro's Song of Severance [00:58:58] The Power of Her Realization [01:01:02] Chatral Rinpoche's Prayer [01:05:19] The Impossibility of Translation [01:10:40] Following One's Heart, No Regrets This conversation originally aired on Dec 21, 2022 ~ Christina Monson was a Buddhist practitioner and teacher, and Tibetan language translator, and interpreter with over 30 years of study, translation, and practice experience in Buddhism. ~ Links: A Dakini's Counsel: Sera Khandro's Spiritual Advice and Dzogchen Instructions By Sera Khandro and translated by Christina Monson https://www.shambhala.com/a-dakini-s-counsel.html?srsltid=AfmBOoryRwpUExBE8808dsuCtSMUzURCGSXpNh6n5hr1l10NsLOcG0DO   A Song of Amazement Inspired by Practice Experience by Sera Khandro https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/sera-khandro/song-of-amazement   Spontaneous Advice Connected with a Prayer by Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/chatral-rinpoche/spontaneous-advice-connected-with-prayer   Post-Listen Episode with Sally Kempton https://oliviaclementine.com/sally-kempton-on-tantra-divinity-shakti-the-subtle-influences/

This is a conversation revisited with philosopher, writer, and professor Bayo Akomolafe.  Time notes: 00:00:29 - 00:07:50 The Sporulation of the Slave Ship 00:07:50 - 00:16:11 Beyond the Human - Blackness as Becoming 00:16:11 - 00:19:48 Entanglement and the Agency of the World 00:19:48 - 00:27:09 Language Beyond Vocality 00:27:09 - 00:34:32 Poetry as Prophecy and the Loss of Precision 00:34:32 - 00:41:12 - Learning from Children's Agency 00:41:12 - 00:47:20The Tortoise's Drum - Cracks and Openings  (This conversation originally aired July 2022)   Links: Bayo Akomolafe: https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/   Post-listen episode with Francis Weller: https://oliviaclementine.com/francis-weller-the-medicine-you-carry-suturing-the-inevitable-tears/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Stay tuned for our next season coming to you later in the year ...

00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:08 Stages towards authentic devotion 00:09:40 Karmic guru connection 00:12:00 Blessings 00:16:00 Ideal student qualities 00:20:00 Living lineage 00:25:00 Dharma protectors 00:29:00 Samaya 00:33:00 Divisive Speech 00:35:00 Root guru 00:41:00 Dudjom Rinpoche and Lama Dawa Rinpoche 00:43:00 When to fully depend on a teacher 00:44:00 Cult behavior 00:46:00 Student's personal work 00:48:00 Sleep, wakefulness, and Lama Dawa 00:52:00 Signs of maturing on the path of realization 00:53:00 Biggest obstacle for westerners   ~   Links: Khandro Kunzang & the P'hurba Peace Mandala Project https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/the-peace-mandala-project/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts   Listen to previous episodes with Khandro Kunzang: Vajrakilaya, Guru Rinpoche Prophecies & the Mandala Principle https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-vajrakilaya-guru-rinpoche-prophecies-the-mandala-principle/   Elemental Spirits, Vajra Armor & Dharma Marriage https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-elemental-spirits-vajra-armor-dharma-marriage/   Lineage of Oral Instruction, Real Teachers & Himalayan Yogas of Tsa lung and Tummo https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-the-oral-instruction-lineage-ngagpas-himalayan-yogas-of-tsa-lung-and-tummo/   Cultivating Siddhis, Tukdam, Lineage Protection & Consortship https://oliviaclementine.com/khandro-kunzang-cultivating-siddhis-tukdam-lineage-protection-consortship/

Today, our guest is the Balinese high priest,  Ida Pedanda Gede Putra Watulumbang Manuaba also known as Ida Pedanda Watulumbang. We meet at his house and learn about his path to becoming a priest and some of the spiritual beliefs and practices in the Balinese Hindu tradition. Time notes: 00:01:00 Becoming a priest 00:05:00 Ceremonies 00:06:45 Ritual and adornment 00:10:45 Balinese cremation 00:12:25 Karma and daily correction 00:16:29 Fearless Death 00:19:00 Daily spiritual tending ~ Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Erik Pema Kunsang is a dharma teacher, practitioner, and one of the most highly regarded Tibetan translators. Today, we meet in his homeland of Denmark, where Erik shares stories of meditation masters he has spent time with, as well as on some essential aspects of the path and fruit of spiritual realization.   00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:24 Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche 00:04:50 Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 00:12:22 Dilgo Khyentse and 16th Karmapa 00:13:25 Tulku Urgyen on nature of mind 00:17:20 Dilgo Khyentse's style of teaching 00:20:44 Former training for realization 00:23:46 Tantras and sutras theatre 00:26:37 Chatral Sangye Dorje 00:27:30 Open-mindedness towards Bodhisattva activity 00:30:12 Outcome of denigrating a bodhisattva 00:36:00 Karmic links with humans and non-humans 00:39:44 Two accumulations 00:42:18 Instantaneous enlightenment 00:44:00 Seeking what makes sense in this life ~ Links: Gomde Denmark https://gomde.dk/   Previous conversations with Erik https://oliviaclementine.com/erik-pema-kunsang-changing-karmic-patterns-studying-reality-being-a-decent-human/   Podcast website & transcript https://oliviaclementine.com/erik-pema-kunsang-stories-of-meditation-masters/

Kulavadhuta Satpurananda (Khyapababa) was initiated into the secret oral tradition of the great Indian lineage of Buddhist tantra at the age of five. He then spent decades practicing under great Indian gurus and mystics. Kulavadhuta is an artist, teacher and research guide in Buddhism, Tantra, Sufism, and the Indigenous practices of Mystics of India and Tibet. And at the heart is an Avadhuta, one who has transcended worldly concerns and even the dharma.    Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 01:05:80 Spiritual matriarchy from birth 0:6:30 Early spiritual experiences 00:10:00 Near-death experiences as a child 00:11:00 Knowledge making him an orphan 00:14:00 Spiritual experience with Baba Ramnath Aghori 00:22:00 Cremation ground practice 00:22:56 Internal conflict around Ma, the divine goddess 00:28:00 Renunciation with  Ma Annandamoyee 00:30:00 Leaving his family and material support, for spiritual life 00:34:00 Museum iconography consultant and designer 00:37:00 Confirmed as an Avadhuta 00:41:00 Self-initiated into Buddhist tantra 00:44:00 Why Vedas are not Khyapababa's cup of tea 00:49:00 Comparing Christian Gnostic, Wrathful Sufi Order, and Leftist Tantra 00:55:00 2 Essences of cremation ground practice 00:57:00 5 Deaths 00:50 Compassionate exorcism 01:03:00 Taking obstacles as the game of life 01:08:00 Life beyond the world and dharmas 01:11:00 Meeting his spiritual partner and marrying at 60 01:15:00 Meaning of a tantric practitioner 01:16:00 On tantric partnership and 5 elemental relationship 01:23:00 Baul traditions historical Siddhas 01:30:00 Ngakpa robes, dreadlocks, and earrings 01:34:00 Non-importance and samadhi 01:38:00 Baba shares a doha by Lalan Shah Fakir of Kushthiya, Bangladesh,19th Century. Lalan made it clear in his teaching songs that Vajrayana came up to Vaishnavism and Sufism to create Sahajiya Bauls of Bengal. His Teachings are pointing out to Voidness and Tantrayoga. 01:38:48 Closing: Khyapababa sings about the Guru   ~    Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Watch here: https://oliviaclementine.com/kunzang-choden-bhutanese-nobility-museum-temple-tour-part-two/ ~ Kunzang Choden, one of Bhutan's most well-known authors, brings us on a tour of her ancestral home in Bhumtang's Tang Valley, which was turned into museum. This space offers a first-hand view of daily life for Bhutanese religious nobility during the 19th and 20th centuries. We then go to the main temple and see some of the chapels held in this two-story space dedicated to different deities. ~ If you missed Part One:  An Interview with Kunzang Choden https://oliviaclementine.com/kunzang-choden-bhutanese-heritage-dorji-linga-part-one/ ~ Tour Time Notes: Museum Tour 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:26 Weaving, textiles, ghos and kiras 00:14:46 Trading & Tools 00:17:30 Rice room 00:18:28 Alcohol distillation 00:27:41 Traditional medicine 00:29:27 Altar room 00:30: Origin and History of Ogyen Choling 00:32:00 Printing place 00:34:00 Library of rare books 00:37:45 Masks, Ritual instruments and dress 00:40:00 Family temple   Temple Tour 00:42:00 Tara Temple 00:51:46  Main Temple 00:53:00 Longchenpa, Dorji Lingpa, and geomancy   ~   The Ogyen Choling https://www.oling.bt   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts