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In the last episode, I presented the traditional contemplation of the Five Great Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space) and with this episode I present a contemplation on the 21 elements most common in our human bodies. Through this practice we connect with our interbeing with the universe as we contemplate that the very elements of our bodies were fabricated in stars that exploded as supernovae. Please support this podcast by subscribing, commenting, rating, and SHARING with others! If you'd like to financially support this podcast, know that EVERY gift is greatly appreciated! Donate here.

In this episode, I offer an introduction to the five elements taught throughout traditional Indian yoga teachings, including the basis for Ayurveda: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. These are not mere substances but principles of matter, including the bodymind. This contemplation is found as part of the First Domain of Mindfulness, The Body, taught in the "Satipatthana-Sutta".After introducing the elements, I offer a short practice. Please support this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review. If you would like to offer financial support as dana, click here.

In this companion episode to Ep 30, I present some pointers as to how we can bring vedana-sati (mindfulness of feelings) into our asana practice. This is NOT a led practice session, but more a tutorial on principles of practice. I'd love to hear from any of you if you find this approach helpful.

Due to technical difficulties, this episode recorded in November, 2024 never ended up getting published! So, better late than never, eh? The Second Domain of Mindfulness presents "vedanasati" or mindfulness of feelings. What is meant by "feelings" is very specific: it's the sensations we feel throughout the body AND the hedonic or 'felt sense' of said feelings, whether pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. This can arguably be said to be the most important of mindfulness practices as sensations condition and all-too-often determine our behavior!

In this companion episode to Episode 28, I offer a very short sampling of how we can bring the teachings of the satipatthana-sutta related to Mindfulness of the Body into the postural practice of hatha-yoga. Remember, our principle that we are not here to make asanas of ourselves and that it is NOT about how we look or what we can do, but rather what can we see about the lived experience of the body. ALL Dana is gratefully accepted!

In this episode, I offer a short summary of the practices associated with the First Domain (otherwise known as the First Foundation or Establishment of Mindfulness) as described in the satipatthana-sutta. If you'd like to read a version of this episode, click here. If you would like to offer DANA, click here.

In this episode I take off from where I left off in Episode 26 and introduce the Foundations of Mindfulness taught by the Buddha which serve as the "curriculum" for Mindfulness Yoga. Discussed is the understanding of Buddhism as a fully integrated Yogic Culture; what Hatha-Yoga is; and how postures of hatha-yoga can be practiced in such a way as to be a comprehensive Mindfulness Practice. Mindfulness Yoga Book Click to offer DANA

I've often been asked what makes Mindfulness Yoga different than other forms of Mindful Yoga or simply yoga done mindfully. Well, here's my answer. This episode also serves as an introduction to a series of episodes that will be devoted to the four domains of mindfulness. If you wish to try for one of 5 signed copies of my book, that I am offering for a contribution of $30 or more, please note in your "DANA" offering that you wish to get a copy and add your email address as well as your mailing address.

In this second in a series of coversations between Barrie Risman and Pobsa Frank Jude, they discuss the third of the principles Barrie enumerates in her book, "Evolving Your Yoga." Along the way, they discuss the difference between "change" and "transformation", the three aspects of Kriya Yoga and how to understand them in a contemporary practice context, different understandings of "self" and the relationship between "self-effort" and "grace" such as in what way does "grace" play a part for a non-theist naturalist?

In this first episode of 2024, Pobsa shares his vision for the new year and what he wishes to offer here at Pobsa's Dharma Lounge. Among other things, he will offer occasional book and film reviews so this episode presents a mini-review of a collection of essays about Buddhist ethics. Pobsa takes this opportunity to teach a bit about Mara, sometimes inaccurately referred to as the "Buddhist devil." If you would like to support this podcast, please subscribe, share, and rate if possible. If you would like to offer dana, you can do so via Pay Pal or Venmo @FrankJude-Boccio

In this first of a series of discussions regarding the evolution of personal practice, Pobsa and Barrie Risman discuss, among other things, what it means to "evolve one's yoga". What aspects of practice change over time and what, if anything, remains the same. From there, they go on to discuss the student/teacher relationship and how it has generally changed with the commodification of yoga into a consumer/provider relationship and what that means for yoga practice and teaching itself. Please consider supporting our podcast by subscribing, rating, commenting and sharing with others! Word of mouth is the best way to get this podcast to others. Dana can be offered via this link.

In an exchange between Ananda and the Buddha, the Buddha tells Ananda, "It is much better to talk of what you know than to speculate foolishly." Sound advice, but what do we actually know? In this episode, Pobsa explains how our perceptions are constructed and thus open to inaccuracy. After describing several ways we "fool ourselves" he offers some practices to correct for all-too-common cognitive biases. If you wish to learn more about the nature of the mind according to the Buddha's teaching in the Satipatthana-Sutta, as well as tools for critical thinking based upon neuro- and cognitive science, you can join Pobsa for a four-week course starting Sept 9. All sessions will be recorded if you cannot make the live session. Registration Information: https://www.mindfulnessyoga.net/minding-the-mind.html For Dana Offerings, greatly appreciated: https://www.mindfulnessyoga.net/dana.html

In this wide-ranging conversation with Daniel Simpson we explore questions around how to make use of texts such as The Yoga-Sutra which come from a world-denying, renunciate worldview extolling dis-embodiment and celibacy in a contemporary yoga practice setting which prioritizes embodiment and tends toward body and sex positivity. What elements should be adapted, which should be fully integrated, and what should be rejected as inappropriate for our purposes? Along the way we discuss the ground-breaking work of scholars such as Georg Feurstein, and more recent scholarship from people like Mark Singleton and James Mallinson. We touch upon the neo-liberal focus on the self that has become such a driving force in both contemporary yoga and mindfulness and use sutra 1.33 regarding the "four immeasurables" (aka 'four brahma-viharas) to distinguish the more isolationist project of Classical Yoga and the pro-social project of Buddhist Yoga. In turning toward a more general discussion on dharma, political concerns arise with examples from Brexit and illiberal so-called "progressive" authoritarianism that lead to ever increasing discord and polarization are touched upon. We end with Daniel's "origin story" filled with at least two of the classic "sex, drugs, and rock and roll." LINKS: Our previous discussion on Daniel's podcast: Ancient Futures My conversation with Scott Johnson on Scott's podcast: Still Points Daniel's conversation with Scott Johnson on Scott's podcast: Still Points Daniel's Ancient Futures Website My review of The Truth of Yoga at Goodreads The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feurerstein Roots of Yoga by James Mallinson and Mark Singleton The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali by Chip Hartranft Swans

In his first teaching, the Buddha presented his yoga practice as a middle way between sensory deprivation and indulgence, showing that both extremes were caught in notions of the self. The Middle Way is an alternative path between the two extremes, but is one that is made step by step by each practitioner. There is no "one way" to be the Middle Way and in the ever-changing circumstances we find ourselves in life, we are always having to adjust accordingly. This requires constant attention to the changing and unique situations we find ourselves in. Please support this podcast by subscribing, sharing, and rating where possible. Dana (financial support) is also gratefully appreciated and accepted here.

Inspired by a conversation with some students and remembering a song from the Sex Pistols, Pobsa shares about problems and how to work with their inevitability. This episode ends with a somewhat humorous and quite telling story of the Buddha and a Brahman who sought relief from his 85 problems. Click here to contact Pobsa with any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes. Click here to offer dana to Pobsa. Remember, dana is the practice of sharing gifts and any and all offerings are gratefully accepted. Click here to hear the Sex Pistols.