This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guests His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche and Michele Loew. Together with host Daniel Aitken, they celebrate the release of The Yoga of Niguma, available now at wisdom.org. This new publication interweaves Buddhist and yogic practices, making them accessible to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Rinpoche shares personal stories about learning the practice and now teaching it, while Michele explores how yoga and meditation can serve as complementary paths, helping students integrate body and mind through embodied awareness. The discussion also covers practical advice for new practitioners, encouraging practitioners not to be intimidated by the practice but to approach the teachings with sincerity and humility and discover the impact on both physical and mental well-being.

Rinpoche, Michele, and Daniel also discuss:

• the challenges and plateaus which can occur in Yoga;
• advanced practices and illusory body;
• healing and health benefits of Niguma Yoga; and
• much more!

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

• Rinpoche and Michele's new book, The Yoga of Niguma
• Rinopche's most recent online course, Niguma's Dream Yoga
• Rinpoche's first Wisdom Academy online course, The Illusory Body and Mind
• Learn more about Rinpoche and his work at https://shangpakagyu.org/
• Learn more about Michele Loew at https://www.micheleloew.com/

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

In this episode of the Wisdom Podcast, host Daniel Aitken is joined by John Makransky. John is Associate Professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, senior advisor for Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche's Centre of Buddhist Studies in Nepal, and developer of the Sustainable Compassion Training model for accessing innate capacities of compassion and awareness. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. As a meditation teacher and a practitioner of Tibetan meditations of compassion and wisdom for four decades, John has pioneered new ways of making these accessible to people of all backgrounds and faith. His published works from Wisdom Publications include Awakening Through Love: Unveiling Your Deepest Goodness. Join John and Daniel as they explore Buddha nature, bodhicitta, and compassion in today's world.

They also discuss:

• John's new book How Compassion Works;
•  the significance of the emptiness and luminosity aspects of your fundamental awareness;
• ways to deepen your practice; and
• much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about John's work with Sustainable Compassion Training at https://sustainablecompassion.org/
• How Compassion Works
• Awakening Through Love: Unveiling Your Deepest Goodness

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guest Eva Natanya. This episode is part of a two-part series discussing the themes in Śamatha and Vipaśyanā. You can listen to Part 1 with Lama Alan Wallace, Lama Alan Wallace: Śamatha and Vipaśyanā: Part 1 (#217). In this episode, join host Daniel Aitken and Eva as they go behind the scenes and discuss the process of bringing Śamatha and Vipaśyanā to publication. Eva shares her deep engagement in solitary meditation retreats and working with Lama Alan Wallace on translating such significant Buddhist texts. Discover the importance of courage and perseverance in the spiritual journey to realize one's true self and embody genuine well-being.

Eva and Daniel also discuss:

• The process of translation and the compilation of the texts;
• the significance of clear light and rigpa;
• compassion and pristine awareness;
• and much more!

This is part 2 of a two-part series on the release of this volume. Be sure to check out part one featuring fellow Lama Alan Wallace here.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, previously recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features Professor John Dunne.  John is the distinguished chair in contemplative humanities at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He works with Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practice. He is also an author of the winner of the 2025 Khyentse Foundation Prize for Outstanding Translation, Nāgārjuna's Precious Garland. Join host Daniel Aitken and John as they discuss Buddhist philosophy and the historical significance of the Nalanda tradition. They transition to conceptual thinking and non-duality, exploring the relationship between consciousness and perception, the importance of education in understanding these concepts, and so much more!

They also discuss:

• Yogic perception and meditation;
• temporal and spatial experience;
• the role of education in cultivating wisdom;
• the intersection of AI and Buddhist philosophy; and
• so much more!

Additional content mentioned in this episode:

• The Wisdom of the Nalanda Tradition – A Wisdom Academy course. Available now. This course is offered as pay what you can.
• Neural effects and phenomenology of nondual meditation and 5-MeO-DMT in an expert meditation practitioner – Winner 2025 Neuroscience of Pure Awareness prize by the Culture of Consciousness Foundation by Thomas Metzinger. Authors: Christopher Timmermann, Tommaso Barba, James Sanders, Stéphane Offort, John Dunne, David Erritzoe, Antoine Lutz. Available in preprint – https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/whqdp_v2

In this episode of The Wisdom Podcast, host Daniel Aitken is joined by David M. DiValerio. David is an associate professor of history and religious studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He is the author of The Holy Madmen of Tibet (2015) and translator of The Life of the Madman of Ü (2016). Join David and Daniel as they discuss David's newest book, Mountain Dharma: Meditative Retreat and the Tibetan Ascetic Self. David shares his journey into Tibetan Buddhist studies, as well as his experiences and research on Tibetan retreats over the years.

They also discuss:

• the historical context and modern adaptations of retreat practices;
• the differences between solitary, individual, and community retreat practice;
• the challenges of translating ancient texts; and
• much more!

Wisdom Podcast listeners are invited to save 20% off Mountain Dharma with code CUP20. Code valid when purchased from Columbia University Press.

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

In this episode of The Wisdom Podcast, previously recorded as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, host Daniel Aitken is joined by Brendan Barca and Pema Sherpa. Join the trio as they discuss Brendan and Pema's new book, The Daily Buddhist. The conversation explores their approach of making dharma applicable to everyday life in the modern world and how they manage various challenges, such as balancing technology use and family time. Stressing the importance of persistence, self-compassion, and using mindfulness as a tool for personal growth and lasting happiness.

In this episode, Brendan, Pema, and Daniel also discuss:

• The importance of teamwork in their personal and professional lives;
  
• how to integrate dharma into your daily life;
• using meditation to connect to your inner self; and
• much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Instagram: @daily.buddhist
• Learn more about Pema and Brendan's newsletter, and get your copy of The Daily Buddhist at thedailybuddhist.net

In this episode of The Wisdom Podcast, host Daniel Aitken is joined by Dasho Karma Ura. Dasho Karma Ura has a Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University, a Master of Philosophy from Edinburgh, and a PhD from Nagoya University. He was awarded the red scarf and the ancient title of distinction, Dasho, by His Majesty the Fourth King in 2006, for his dedicated service to the country of Bhutan. He was a member of the Drafting Committee of Bhutan's first Constitution in 2008 and became president of the Centre for Bhutan Studies and Gross National Happiness Research. He is a painter and author of many books, including most recently Bhutan: The Unremembered Nation - Volumes 1 & 2. In 2010, he was bestowed the honour of Druk Khorlo (Wheel of Dragon Kingdom) by His Majesty the King for his contributions to literature and fine arts. In this episode, Dasho Karma and Daniel explore the study and influence of Gross National Happiness, a philosophy pioneered in Bhutan by His Majesty the Fourth King, in which a government prioritizes national happiness over economic growth.

In this episode, Dasho Karma and Daniel also discuss:

• Buddhist Ideals Shaping Bhutanese Culture;
• Language and Cultural Preservation;
• National Happiness and Collective Well-being;
• Craft and Virtue in Buddhist Practice;
• The Life and Art of Yeshe Tsogyal; and
• much more!

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.

This Wisdom Podcast episode, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, welcomes back His Eminence Khangser Rinpoche. At five years of age, a search party positively identified him as the reincarnation of the seventh Khangser Rinpoche. He is one of three high lamas responsible for recognizing the rebirth of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He presently serves as vice abbot of Gyuto Monastery and as the founder and administrative head of Thangkar Dechen Choling Monastic Institute. He is the author of A Monk's Guide to Finding Joy. Join Rinpoche and host Daniel Aitken as they explore the concept of Buddha-nature, challenges of distraction in the digital age, and the enduring resilience of the Dharma across generations.

In this episode, Rinpoche and Daniel also discuss:

• the Sutra and Tantra approaches to mental afflictions;
• selflessness as the ultimate antidote to the cause of anger;
• the importance of analytical meditation;
• the debate on emptiness and existence; and
• much more!

The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wisdom Publications or any entities they represent.