About this episode
Robert A.F. Thurman is the Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University, President of the Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization, and President of the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, a non-profit affiliated with the Center for Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and dedicated to the publication of translations of important artistic and scientific treatises from the Tibetan Tengyur. TIME Magazine chose Professor Thurman as one of its 25 most influential Americans in 1997, describing him as a “larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, from Asia to America.” The New York Times recently said Thurman “is considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” In this interview, we discuss Thurman's latest book: Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Thurman is known as a talented popularizer of the Buddha’s teachings. He is a riveting speaker and an author of many books on Tibet, Buddhism, art, politics, and culture, including: The Central Philosophy of Tibet Circling the Sacred Mountain: A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas Essential Tibetan Buddhism The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Through Understanding in the Between Wisdom and Compassion The Sacred Art of Tibet Inner Revolution Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World With Sharon Salzberg, Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier Website: bobthurman.com Podcast YouTube Channel Previous Batgap interview with Robert Thurman. Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. is the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, CA. Isa is also the creator of the spiritual counseling model, Depth Hypnosis. In addition to her teaching schedule that includes teaching classes in Applied Buddhist Psychology, Applied Shamanism, Integrated Energy Medicine and Depth Hypnosis, she has active practices in Depth Hypnosis and Applied Shamanic Counseling in San Francisco, CA. In this interview, we discuss Isa's latest book: Coming to Peace: Resolving Conflict Within Ourselves and With Others Other books: Return to the Great Mother The Four Immeasurables Discussion of this interview in the Batgap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Recorded October 19, 2017, at the Science and Nonduality Conference. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to "Buddha at the Gas Pump" 00:04:05 - The Burden of Staying in the Hundreds 00:06:47 - The Dalai Lama's Development and Growth 00:09:45 - The Heroism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama 00:12:41 - The Dalai Lama's Approval 00:16:30 - The Circle of Communication 00:20:47 - Reconciling Conflicting Parts of the Self 00:25:27 - The Need for Wisdom alongside Meditation 00:28:40 - The Turbulence of Enlightenment 00:31:42 - Cross-fertilization of Knowledge 00:34:21 - The Power of Nonviolent Resistance and Peaceful Dialogue 00:37:23 - Shamanic Practice and Helping Spirits 00:40:47 - Connecting with Inner Guidance 00:44:47 - The Power of the Shamanic Journey 00:47:37 - A Conflict between Practitioner, Soldier, and Red Ball 00:50:43 - Resolving Conflict and Taking Care of Oneself 00:53:31 - Buddhism's role in world peace and vulnerability 00:56:17 - The Choice of Vulnerability and Peace 01:00:00 - Creating Outer Peace 01:02:25 - A Funny Story About the Dalai Lama 01:05:35 - The Vicious Circle Stops 01:08:38 - Finding Equilibrium within the Mind 01:13:28 - The Unity of Self and Others 01:17:02 - Bringing Peace in Conflict 01:20:44 - Inner Resistance and Self-forgiveness 01:24:45 - The Difference in Society and Gender Roles 01:28:21 - The Dualistic View of Brahmins vs. Buddhists 01:31:57 - Reincarnation as a Social Institution in Tibet 01:36:20 - The Geopolitical Power Play in Tibet 01:39:49 - Building Cults and Exiles 01:42:31 - Thank You for Listening Save Save