This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Tim Olmsted. Tim is the founder and president of the Pema Chödrön Foundation and former director of Gampo Abbey. He began his Buddhist studies in 1977 under the late Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in Boulder, Colorado. In 1981, after being moved by a visit from Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Tim and his family moved to Kathmandu to study with Tulku Urgyen and his sons. For 12 years, Tim lived in Nepal, working as a psychotherapist serving the international community. In 2000, he moved to Nova Scotia where he served for three years as the director of Gampo Abbey, the largest residential Buddhist monastery in North America. He spends much of his time traveling internationally, teaching meditation in his role as a senior instructor for Tergar International, a worldwide meditation community under the guidance of Tibetan meditation teacher, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

In this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Tim discuss:

• His journey into the Dharma, including his life in Nepal and his time spent with Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his son;
• Perfect devotion vs the guru complex;
• The significance of community;
• and much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Blazing Splendor: The Memoirs of the Dzogchen Yogi Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
• Tergar.org
• Vajrayana Online
• The Joy of Living an online meditation course and training with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Cortland Dahl. Cortland is a scientist, translator, and meditation teacher who offers workshops and leads retreats around the world. He has practiced meditation for nearly three decades, spent time on retreat in monasteries and at retreat centers throughout Japan, Burma, and India, and spent eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in Kathmandu, Nepal. He works as an Instructor for the Tergar community and is the Executive Director of Tergar International. In addition, Cortland serves as a Research Scientist and the Chief Contemplative Officer at UW-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds and the center’s affiliated non-profit, Healthy Minds Innovations. Cortland is actively involved in scientific research and has published articles on the impact of meditation practices on the body, mind, and brain.

In this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Cortland discuss:

• the Healthy Minds App and Cortland’s role in its development;

• the intersection of science and spirituality;

• living the Dharma in daily life;

• using technology for mindfulness; and

• much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Cortland’s Wisdom Dharma Chats episode
• Vajrayana Online
• The Joy of Living an online meditation course and training with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Born in the Himalayan border regions between Tibet and Nepal, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a rising star among the new generation of Tibetan Buddhist teachers. His candid, often humorous accounts of his personal difficulties have endeared him to audiences around the world.

During this Wisdom Dharma Chat host, Daniel Aitken, and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche discuss:

• Dorje Drolö, a Buddhist practice meant specifically for use during difficult times in human history;
• Rinpoche’s upcoming teachings in Nepal this June;
• the imaginative power of the mind;
• wrathful deities; and
• much more!