Redesigning the Dharma

Episode 8 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Erik Davis, an author and founding member of The Alembic at Berkeley. The discussion begins with an introduction to Davis? recent work on an upcoming book about LSD blotter art and his Substack 'Burning Shore.' They delve into the contemporary dharma scene, the strengths and weaknesses of the younger generation of practitioners, and how psychedelics play a role in this landscape. Erik shares about the intersections between Zen practice, the non-dual awareness traditions, and psychedelics, emphasizing the importance of a pluralistic and open-minded approach to spirituality. The dialogue encapsulates a rich discussion on the challenges and opportunities within modern spiritual practices, the evolving landscape of psychedelic experiences, and the balance between tradition and innovation.

Erik Davisis an author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker based in San Francisco. He is the author of five books, including High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the 70s; Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica; The Visionary State: A Journey through California?s Spiritual Landscape; and the 33 1/3 volume Led Zeppelin IV. His first and best-known book remains TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information, a cult classic of visionary media studies that?s still in print.

Erik?s scholarly and popular essays on California, music, technoculture, drugs, and spirituality have appeared in scores of books, magazines, and journals, and his writing has been translated into over a dozen languages. Davis has spoken widely at universities, conferences, retreat centers, and festivals, and has been interviewed by CNN, the BBC, NPR, and the New York Times. He graduated from Yale University in 1988, and earned his PhD in religious studies at Rice University in 2015. He currently writes the Substack publication Burning Shore.

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THE ALEMBIC

Episode 7 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Ian Baker from The Vajra Path, renowned Vajrayana Buddhism scholar, yogi, explorer, and author. They explore the origins, practices, and transformative potential of Tantra within both the Vajrayana Buddhism and non-dual Shaiva Shakta traditions. Dr. Baker breaks down the concept of Tantra, touching on its definition, historical emergence, and the non-dual essence of practice. Additionally, they touch on the use of psychoactive plants in tantric practices and the exciting potential for Vajrayana's future as it intersects with contemporary culture and beyond.

Dr. Ian Baker holds a PhD in History and a MPhil in Medical Anthropology from University College London, following earlier graduate work in Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and English Literature at the University of Oxford.

He is the author of seven critically acclaimed books on Himalayan and Tibetan cultural history, environment, art, and medicine including, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices, The Dalai Lama?s Secret Temple, The Heart of the World, The Tibetan Art of Healing, and Buddhas of the Celestial Gallery, with introductions by the H.H. the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra.

Recognized by National Geographic as one of seven ?Explorers for the Millennium,? he has conducted extensive field research in Tibet?s Tsangpo Gorge region, and currently leads private journeys and travel seminars in India, Tibet, and Bhutan.

Baker has studied under Tibetan Buddhist luminaries, such as Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, Dudjom Jigdral Dorje Rinpoche, and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is also the co-founder of The Vajra Path with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang.

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THE VAJRA PATH

Episode 6 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features part two of a conversation between Ryan Oelke from Buddhist Geeks and Adrian Baker. This episode talks about integrating awakening into modern culture through cultural, philosophical, and personal experiences. They discuss the distinction between proprietary dharma and open source dharma, the importance of personal development, societal structures, and the significance of embodying awakening. Oelke also shares his journey from traditional Vajrayana to studying with Judith Blackstone and the creation of his Integral Dharma course, emphasizing the essence and experiential aspects of awakening.

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Guest Bio:

Ryan is an Executive Coach at Stagen, an Integral Leadership Academy based in Dallas, Texas; co-founder and teacher at Buddhist Geeks; and a Senior Teacher in Judith Blackstone?s Realization Process. He has an MSEd in counseling psychology and 20+ years experience in meditation, particularly in the Tibetan Buddhist and Dzogchen lineages.

Ryan teaches an integral path of embodied, responsive presence and invites others into the mystery of their own lived experience and embodiment. His approach is grounded in the foundation of waking up, and includes cleaning up (healing), growing up, and showing up in the world.

He also has a BA in Spanish, 3 years of graduate study of classical Tibetan and translation, and is a passionate learner and teacher of languages.

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INTEGRAL LIFE

AWAKENING IN LIFE FOUNDATION

BUDDHIST GEEKS

Episode 5 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation Ryan Oelke from Buddhist Geeks. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Adrian and Ryan talk about their personal experiences with Buddhism, specifically the practice of Dharma and the Vajrayana and Dzogchen traditions. They discuss their journeys becoming practitioners and teachers, and the impact of certain teachings and figures like Ken Wilber and Namkhai Norbu. This episode then dives into the importance of experimenting with different traditions, maintaining an open mind, and navigating the relationship with one's primary spiritual teacher or "Root Guru".

Ryan is an Executive Coach at Stagen, an Integral Leadership Academy based in Dallas, Texas; co-founder and teacher at Buddhist Geeks; and a Senior Teacher in Judith Blackstone?s Realization Process. He has an MSEd in counseling psychology and 20+ years experience in meditation, particularly in the Tibetan Buddhist and Dzogchen lineages.

Ryan teaches an integral path of embodied, responsive presence and invites others into the mystery of their own lived experience and embodiment. His approach is grounded in the foundation of waking up, and includes cleaning up (healing), growing up, and showing up in the world.

He also has a BA in Spanish, 3 years of graduate study of classical Tibetan and translation, and is a passionate learner and teacher of languages.

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INTEGRAL LIFE

AWAKENING IN LIFE FOUNDATION

BUDDHIST GEEKS

Episode 4 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Lama Justin von Bujdoss from Yangti Yoga. Justin is an American Buddhist teacher and chaplain ordained in the Karma Kamtsang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Deeply invested in the preservation and adaptation of Tantric Buddhist tradition in the West, Justin shares his experiences as an ordained Repa, a position emphasizing householder tradition. He discusses his past work at the New York City Department of Corrections, the use of plant medicines in spiritual practice, and the importance of integrating meditation into everyday life. Justin also talks about his efforts in preserving Tantric Buddhist tradition through innovative methods, one of which is his aligning of Vajrayana teachings with social justice causes and environmental activism.

Justin von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher and chaplain.

He was ordained as a repa in the Karma Kamstang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism by His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche in 2011 and given the name Repa Dorje Odzer.

From 2012 until 2017 Justin served as the resident-lama and executive director of New York Tsurphu Goshir Dharma Center, an urban dharma organization which functioned as an affiliate of Palchen Chosling Monastic Institute, Ralang, Sikkim, India. Up until last year, Justin worked as the first dedicated Staff Chaplain for the New York City Department of Correction, providing spiritual support for the 13,000 employees, both uniformed and non-uniformed, who work through out the New York City Corrections system.

Justin is the author of Modern Tantric Buddhism: Authenticity and Embodiment in Dharma Practice published by North Atlantic Books, and a contributor to Buddhism and Whiteness: Critical Reflections published by Lexington Books. He is also a co-founder of Bhumisparsha, an experimental Buddhist sangha along with Lama Rod Owens, and Yangti Yoga, a retreat center rooted in the practice of dark retreat along with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang.

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BHUMISPARSHA SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY

YANGTI YOGA RETREAT CENTER

ROOT HEALING PORTUGAL RETREAT

Episode 3 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Janeth Jaramillo from Pachanoi Retreats. This episode discusses the integration of indigenous medicinal practices with plants such as Ayahuasca and Huachuma, and meditation in the Insight Tradition. The conversation begins with Janeth?s personal journey into plant medicine and meditation and her experience with different ceremonies, retreats, and sacred medicines like San Pedro cactus, psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, and Kambo. Some topics discussed include: the use of plant medicine for healing, cultural differences in the practice of traditional wisdom, how plant medicine can complement a non-dual contemplative practice, and ethical considerations that one must observe in the use of plant medicine. The discussion also delves into ethical considerations, power dynamics, and potential abuse within spiritual communities, alongside the importance of respect for indigenous knowledge and traditions.

Janeth is an Ecuadorian medicine woman, plant medicine facilitator, and mindfulness practitioner.  She has extensive knowledge of plant medicine and has worked closely with indigenous Shipibo people from Peru for over a decade. Her journey with plant medicine began with an Ayahuasca ceremony in Peru in 2010 and she?s been organizing and facilitating retreats since 2014. Janeth continues to deepen her understanding through countless plant medicine ceremonies not only with Ayahuasca but with other Sacred Medicines such as San Pedro cactus, psilocybin mushrooms, DTM and kambo.

Janeth is also a passionate Buddhist practitioner, she has been part of several silent, multi-day meditation retreats, including a 3-month silent meditation retreat at IMS in Massachusetts and a  2-month retreat in Yangon-Myanmar. She is a certified Mindfulness Teacher and studied under the direction of the well-known teachers Jack Konrfield and Tara Brach.

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PACHANOI RETREATS

Episode 2 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Chi Psilocybin from MushroomTao. This episode revolves around Chi's spiritual journey which began with meditation in the Theravada tradition and pivots to incorporate the use of psilocybin mushrooms. Chi provides insight on the intersection of Dharma and psychedelics and emphasizes how both practices were pivotal in addressing certain elements of his trauma and depression. Some topics explored include the multiple facets of mindfulness, addiction, fame, and how mushrooms can be a powerful mechanism for empowering people to make a change.

Chi Psilocybin is a facilitator, connector, and mentor for journeyers at every stage of the psilocybin initiation, from curious seekers to experienced guides and growers. He supports journeyers in managing expectations, letting go of rigid ideas, avoiding common pitfalls, and approaching psychedelic experiences with a long-term perspective. He is the co-founder of MushroomTao.Com, TripSitters.Org, and PsychEdCR.Org.

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Episode 1 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Vincent Horn from Buddhist Geeks. The episode explores progressive perspectives on understanding and adapting Buddhist teachings in the context of contemporary times. Some topics touched upon include The Dharma and its inclusion in the mindfulness movement, cultural differences in its practice and interpretation in different countries, the notion of awakening and how it influences the practice, and the role of Dharma in addressing social issues such as climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and so much more.

Vince Fakhoury Horn is part of a new generation of teachers, facilitators, & translators bringing dharma to life. A computer engineering dropout turned full-time contemplative, Vince spent his 20s co-founding the ground-breaking Buddhist Geeks podcast, while simultaneously doing a full year, in total, of silent retreat practice. Vincent began teaching in 2010 and has since been authorized in both the Pragmatic Dharma lineage of Kenneth Folk, and by Trudy Goodman, guiding teacher of InsightLA. Vince has been called a ?power player of the mindfulness movement? by Wired magazine and was featured in Wired UK?s ?Smart List: 50 people who will change the world.? He currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina with his partner Emily Horn and their son Zander.

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