Episode 18 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is the second part of a two-part conversation with Todd Norian, the founder of Ashaya Yoga® (https://www.ashayayoga.com/). The conversation centers on Tantra Yoga and how it offers a nondual and joyous framework for understanding life.The episode picks up with Todd sharing his journey of integrating body, mind, and heart through Tantra Yoga. This opens the discussion on topics such as the metaphysics of Shaiva Shakta Tantra, concerns...

Episode 17 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is the first part of a two-part conversation with Todd Norian, the founder of Ashaya Yoga® (https://www.ashayayoga.com/). The conversation centers on Tantra Yoga and how it offers a nondual and joyous framework for understanding life.Todd begins the discussion by debunking some misconceptions of Tantra and then dives deeper into some of the core tenets of the practice, including its view on suffering, the balance between transcendence and...

Episode 16 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Justin Kelley, PhD, the Executive Director at Tergar Institute (https://tergarinstitute.org/) and Tergar Schools (https://tergarschools.org/). Raised in rural Massachusetts, Justin’s transformative journey began in Tibetan refugee communities in India and Nepal. This discussion dives into the role of the scholar-practitioner, his extensive research in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, his role as executive...

Episode 15 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Sara Lewis, PhD, LCSW, the co-founder and director of training and research at Naropa University’s center for Psychedelic Studies. This conversation explores the intersection psychedelic-assisted therapy, healing intergenerational trauma, building resilience in the face of adversity, and how having a background grounded in contemplative practices can support with the preparation and integration of using plant...

Episode Summary:Episode 14 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with writer, psychotherapist, and ayahuasca integration coach, Kerry Moran. Kerry shares her fascinating journey of living in Kathmandu and practicing Dharma, to becoming a psychotherapist with a private practice in Portland, and finally moving to Peru and working closely with ayahuasca for spiritual and therapeutic purposes.The conversation delves into how her background in Dzogchen and depth...

Episode Summary:Episode 13 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with poet, artist, and Zen meditation teacher, Brooke McNamara. The discussion centers on the intersection between art and Zen Buddhism and explores themes like the embodiment of Eros, the paradox of transcendence and intimacy, and the importance of uncertainty in spiritual practice. Brooke also reads one of her touching poems, 'Change the Lighting,' and discusses her perspective on poetry as a vehicle...

Episode Summary:Episode 12 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is features an insightful conversation with Jess McNally, an experienced Buddhist practitioner and facilitator in Minyak Rinpoche's Tergar Meditation Community (https://tergar.org/). Jess shares her journey with Buddhism, from her academic beginnings at Stanford University to living and training at Zen Mountain Monastery, and eventually ordaining as a monastic in the Tibetan tradition. The conversation delves into the...

Episode 11 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is part two of a conversation with shamanic Reiki master healer, Danielle Rateau. This episode explores Danielle's holistic healing journey, including her work at an ayahuasca center in the Sacred Valley, Peru and her expertise in with Reiki. Adrian and Danielle dive into the the details of working with ayahuasca including the often-overlooked importance of preparation before ceremonies, the impact of relaxing and somatically connecting with...

Episode Summary:Episode 10 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Danielle Rateau, a shamanic Reiki master healer who spent a year facilitating ayahuasca retreats in the Sacred Valley in Peru. This episode dives into Danielle’s experiences leading ayahuasca ceremonies, the importance of preparation and integration regarding psychedelic sessions, and how to work with fear or difficult emotions that may arise during the journey.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Guest...

Episode 9 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Aaron Paul Orsini, an autistic psychedelic educator, author, and researcher at Autism On Acid (https://www.autismonacid.com/). This episode explores the intersection of psychedelics and neurodivergence, and specifically touches on the medicine’s impact on ADHD and autism. The discussion leans heavily into Orsini’s research and personal experiences with microdosing LSD for ADHD management, psychedelics and sensory...

Episode 8 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Erik Davis, an author and founding member of The Alembic (https://berkeleyalembic.org/) 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....

Episode 7 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Ian Baker from The Vajra Path (https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Vajra-Path-100088040336775/), 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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...