The Free Radical Podcast #47 | The Art of Spiritual Direction — Fr. Cassian, June 4, 2025

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Vaishnava scholar and Hindu chaplain Adi Purusha, whose academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a focus on theodicy, Vedanta, and ethics. The conversation explores the problem of evil—how suffering can coexist with an all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing God—through the lens of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Topics include karma, the purpose of suffering, and how to approach these ideas without minimizing or justifying suffering. This episode complements a previous discussion with Christian theologian Thomas Jay Oord, showcasing diverse spiritual responses to divine justice and human pain. The podcast seeks dialogue, not doctrinal agreement, aiming to foster deeper understanding and love across differences. https://youtu.be/XBodQVjsiC8 ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha warmly welcomes Father Cassian, a Roman Catholic priest and Benedictine monk with a rich interspiritual background. A native of Southern California, Fr. Cassian was originally initiated into the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Vedantic tradition before returning to his Catholic roots and joining the Benedictine order in 2007. Ordained in 2013, he holds a Doctorate in Theology from the John Paul II Institute in Rome. A lifelong student of world religions, Fr. Cassian is deeply committed to cross-traditional dialogue and friendship. In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation—recorded in person at Ananda Ashram in North Carolina—the two explore the nuances of spiritual direction, covering themes such as confession, celibacy, and the interplay of inner and outer authority. Listeners are invited to join the table for this enriching exchange—and are encouraged to support the podcast by subscribing, sharing, and commenting to keep the dialogue alive. https://youtu.be/HP1Nq9YNGZY ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

What happens when a physicist walks away from science to follow the path of devotion? In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we meet Śrīla Bhakti Bhavan Vishnu Maharaj—a brilliant mind turned monk whose life journey bridges reason and revelation. From Los Angeles to South India, from laboratories to temples, his story is one of transformation, surrender, and unwavering faith. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KIJk8_wEzVM ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we dive into a rich and thought-provoking conversation with Christian theologian, philosopher, and author Thomas J. Ord. Known for his groundbreaking work in open and relational theology, Ord brings insight into topics such as divine omnipotence, the problem of suffering and evil, and the evolving nature of God. Together, we explore how love, freedom, and uncertainty shape our understanding of the divine—not from a place of cynicism, but from a deep loyalty to truth. If you're drawn to big questions about God, reality, and how theology can inform daily life, this episode offers a space for sincere exploration and dialogue. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ujwH6Pztcc ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Lila Vrindavan Dasi—a visual artist, teacher, mentor, and yogini—whose life bridges the worlds of art and spirituality. Lila Vrindavan's journey began in Russian classical ballet and later transitioned into the visual arts, culminating in a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. Her deep engagement with mysticism, yoga, Ayurveda, and bhakti has informed both her creative and spiritual practices. Lila Vrindavan is the founder of Luminous Arts, a sanctuary where artistic expression and sacred exploration come together through community and education. She leads global artist pilgrimages and facilitates an online Creative Liberation Residency to help artists deepen their practice and manifest their visions. The conversation explores rich themes like the role of play and improvisation in life, the essence of wonder, and the idea of seeing both life and spirituality as artistic projects. Listeners are invited to a heartfelt, nourishing dialogue that celebrates creativity as a sacred path. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XAgCymLkQo4?si=bH0bLRqwgIdE9Vuf ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we sit down with Yogeshwar Das—Vaishnava thinker, educator, and biographer—to explore the rich dialogue between faith and reason, science and spirituality. With a background in Holocaust documentation, war crimes journalism, and spiritual biography, Yogeshwar brings a unique perspective to questions of consciousness, matter, and how we define (and redefine) both. Together, we navigate the complementarities and tensions between these fields, diving into deep philosophical and existential inquiries. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation, and be part of an ongoing dialogue that challenges the boundaries of knowledge and belief. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P3LJLDukqmo ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

Krishna Lila’s response to childhood trauma led her to ask life’s biggest questions: Who am I? What am I doing here? What is the purpose? Where is the meaning? In this conversation, Krishna Lila shares her remarkable journey of self-discovery and the pivotal inner shifts that guided her from dissociative survival to embodied spirituality. For years, she felt trapped inside a box, with the instructions for escape written on the outside. She sought answers through top-rated psychologists and eventually entered the field herself, searching for a way out. But it wasn’t until a profound experience turned her gaze inward that she discovered transcendence wasn’t beyond her humanity—it was woven deeply within it. She realized that humanity is the very context of spirituality, and at its heart is bhakti—love. Born in Argentina and raised in New York City, Krishna Lila is a renowned psychologist with decades of training under leading experts in trauma work, including Peter Levine. Now 84, she brings a lifetime of hard-won wisdom and, in this podcast, authentically shares the transformative power of healed trauma. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hbOjP-BbNTo?si=Ryv6i9C-oQoG8R64 ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

Join Swami Padmanabha and Venkata Bhatta—assistant dean of religious life and chaplain at Princeton University, author, and co-host of the Namarasa Podcast—for a thought-provoking conversation. Together, they explore the nuance of liminality, where nouns become adjectives, and the in-between spaces of life reveal their depth. As the discussion unfolds, it offers rich insights that inspire an active, conscious embrace of daily life—where life itself becomes the guru continually offering deeper and deepr initiations. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-fCfA-eib_8 ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, we welcome Sukhavaha dasi—author, healer, and radical personalist. Born into a Protestant minister’s family and later initiated by Srila Prabhupada, Sukhavaha has spent decades guiding spiritual seekers through emotional healing and self-discovery. Join Swami Padmanabha and Sukhavaha as they explore themes of radical personalism, identity, navigating crises, and making peace with the mind. She shares insights on self-worth, healing buried emotions, and deepening our connection with the divine. With wisdom drawn from her own transformative journey, this conversation is both inspiring and deeply personal. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Da4et4XOE ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

“Independent Thinking” might seem at odds with a tradition centered on surrender—but think again. In this organic and dynamic conversation, Madhavananda Dasa joins Swami Padmanabha to illuminate the multifaceted jewel of Guru Tattva. Together, they explore the evolving roles of both the guru and spiritual institutions, examining how these two forces interact. Taking the pulse of their communities, they reflect on the current understanding and pressing needs surrounding these essential themes. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1nbRefGmmo ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook .~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE