Christina Monson: Following Your Heart & Dying Free of Regret

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

Kunzang Choden is one of Bhutan's most legendary authors. We meet in Bhutan in the Tang Valley, where Kunzang's family has lived since the 15th century, land that is tied to the Tibetan yogic master Longchenpa and treasure revealer Dorji Linga.  This is part one of two. To watch the video version, you can visit the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8T0ZqtrBM ~ Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:41 Lineage land and Kings 00:03:47 Treasure revealer Dorji Lingpa 00:10:18 Intense childhood recollections 00:15:00 Intergenerational homelife 00:19:50 Seasonality 00:28:42 Kunzang's way of writing 00:30:00 Recording dreams 00:32:00 Kuzang's new memoir   Ogyen Choling https://www.oling.bt   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts