Bob Thurman Podcast

In this episode Professor Thurman is joined by actor and musician Jessica Pimentel for an intimate conversation on Buddhism, creativity and how they both discovered the Dharma growing up in and around New York City. Jessica Pimentel is a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelugpa tradition and studied under the former abbot of Sera […]

In a conversation spanning the top of Mount Everest to the front-lines of parenting during a global Pandemic, Professor Thurman is joined by Kiri Westby for a dialog on human rights, activism and the history of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhist culture. Opening with a discussion of Kiri Westby’s “Fortune Favors The Brave: An Extraordinary Memoir” […]

Exploring the preciousness of America and its positive impact upon the digitally interconnected world, Robert A.F. Thurman discusses and provides a road-map for re-evaluating the complex historical relationship with indigenous and enslaved African peoples’ cultures and societies it was built upon. Opening with a heart-to-heart message to his listeners about the impact of global pandemic […]

Tracing the cultural and mythological history of solstice celebrations across the globe, Robert Thurman in his annual holiday message shares his positive vision for thriving even in the darkest of seasons, times and situations. Examining the common practice of cultures centering winter and end of year holidays around the moment the north pole is farthest […]

Opening this week’s episode with an introduction to the epic poem “Gita Govinda”, Robert Thurman uses the work of Jayadeva to guide listeners through the spiritual and linguistic history of India, Buddhist philosophy and the inner and outer yogic sciences. Describing India as “the original melting pot”, Professor Thurman shares his personal reflections on the […]

A special post election message of hope from Robert A.F. Thurman recorded November 2020 in Phoenicia, New York at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa. Image via Obama White House Archives, All Rights Reserved. www.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman continue their online dialogue using questions from friends and students discussing how the tools of mindfulness skill training, Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Dalai Lama have influenced them over the years. Questioning Buddhism: Sharon Salzberg and Bob Thurman – Ep. 246 of the Bob Thurman Podcast was recorded […]

Opening with an extended message of gratitude to modern scientists, Professor Thurman in this episode explores the power of kindness and the centrality of compassionate wisdom in transformation through reading key passages from the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Robert A.F. Thurman gives a close line reading and recitation of his classic translation […]

In this episode Professor Thurman introduces the Four Noble Truths and the Buddhist Inner Sciences through reading key passages from the miss titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”. Opening with a recommendation of “Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition” by Andrew Holecek and a lively Carlos Castaneda story, […]

In this episode, recorded on the “Super Moon” of August 2020, Professor Thurman introduces the historic Vajra Yoga teacher training being held in person and online with The Yoga Space’s Michele Loew and the Tibet House US Menla community. Teaching to Yoga students in person and live on Zoom, Bob Thurman gives a teaching on […]

Reconnecting for the first time since the Covi-19 pandemic began Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman discuss the her book “Real Change” and how the tools of mindfulness skill training, Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Dalai Lama have influenced them over the years. Opening with stories from the “Peacemaking: The Power of Nonviolence” Conference […]

In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Dr. Mark Epstein M.D. discuss the history of scientific studies on the effects of meditation training since Buddhism's migration to the West and encounter with materialists, psychotherapists and poets. Settling down after their annual Buddhism and Psychotherapy gathering, Bob Thurman and Mark Epstein reflect upon their twenty plus years teaching together, the on-going dialog between mental health care-givers and Buddhist Psychonauts, highlighting the teachers and teachings which impacted their work, writing and personal journeys. Candidly sharing details about his next book, Dr. Mark Epstein describes his academic career, the untold stories behind his groundbreaking writings and the moments his life long studies of psychology have put him on the front lines of the mindfulness revolution through his patients, colleges and in his participation in historic scientific studies. This episode includes: an exploration of the influence of the historical Buddha,

In this extended conversation Robert A.F. Thurman and Lavinia Currier discuss the history of environmental awareness in light of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Recounting childhood stories from the first Earth Day, film maker and life long environmentalist Lavinia Currier shares insights from her experience as an mother, organic farmer, creative producer and protector of pristine […]

In this extended conversation Dr. Mark Hyman and Robert A.F. Thurman explore the relationship between diet, food production, the climate crisis and the rise of global pandemics. Opening with a short history of farm policy and government food subsidies in the United States, Professor Thurman and Dr. Hyman share stories from their work over the […]

Using the teachings of the historical Buddha, Nagarjuna and Shantideva, Robert A.F. Thurman elaborates the concept of cool heroism and the yoga of practical non-violence passed down from India and Tibet. Opening with a humorous introduction to the non-violent teachings of Gandhi and the Buddhist perspective on theism, Professor Thurman gives an explanation of his […]

Introducing the iconography of the Medicine Buddha used to train Tibetan Buddhist medical practitioners , Robert A.F. Thurman explores the foundations of Buddhism and the role of leadership within the Buddha’s non-violent revolutionary philosophy. Opening with a short history of Buddhist medicine and Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Science of Healing, Professor Thurman gives a teaching on […]

Exploring the landscape of modern democracy as it relates to the election of American presidents through extended primary processes, Robert A.F. Thurman gives a teaching on the need for cooperation between candidates and what a team of rivals would look like. Using the New York Times opinion piece by Thomas L. Friedman “Dems, You Can […]

In this extended recording Professor Thurman gives an introductory teaching on the centrality of reincarnation to the Buddha’s philosophy and how an understanding of past and future lives is essential to becoming enlightened. Using the teachings of Atisha, Tsongkhapa and the 14th Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman begins the teaching with a humorous thought experiment examining […]

In this extended episode Professor Thurman gives an inspiring talk on the role of cultural creatives in creating peaceful social revolutions and how Buddhism’s spread influenced modern counter culture movements of the West. Bright Futures : Buddhism & Cultural Creatives – Ep. 235 of the Bob Thurman Podcast Image by Tenzing Rigdol. This week’s episode’s […]

Professor Thurman is joined by dear friend Krishna Das in this special episode of the Bob Thurman Podcast to discuss the life and work of Ram Das, the history of mindfulness in the West and for a dialog about remaining cheerful in these troubled times. Podcast includes a short biography of Neem Karoli Baba and […]