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.