The Kind Heartfulness Podcast

The Kind Heartfulness podcast arose from the wisdom of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche in concert with the activities Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Austria-Germany. Each year many brilliant Buddhist teachers, scholars and sublime meditators grace the programs and seminars of our meditation center nestled atop the beautiful hillside above Scharnstein Austria. Therefore, this podcast is a way to share some of their insight and wisdom with you. In each episode we will explore the inner reaches of the heart, the mind, and the very nature of reality. We are in the process of establishing a fully accredited university, so in that spirit, we will have as our guests some of the greatest living Buddhist philosophers currently teaching in major universities. This will be presented in an accessible manner that is interesting, entertaining and enlightening for everyone who is curious. Please join us on our journey as we explore, with an open heart and an inquisitive mind, the very essence of what it means to be human. Your host: Erric Solomon Each episode is hosted by Erric Solomon, a noted author, Buddhist teacher and meditator. Erric is the co-author with Phakchok Rinpoche of Radically Happy: A user’s guide to the mind.

How to keep peace during holiday season 12/08/2024

AI mind: The Artificial Intelligence search for machine consciousness 11/04/2024

Thriving in the Light of Death — Caring for others and preparing yourself 10/05/2024

The Most Important Thing to Know - Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche 09/02/2024

Compassion can Help with Everything - Dr Erika Rosenberg 08/04/2024

Compassion can Help with Everything - Dr Erika Rosenberg In Buddhist practice is based on compassion, and so there are a body of practices devoted to it. But what is compassion really? How do we know we have it? Compassion isn’t a thing that you gather but a way of being in the world. In this episode, Dr. Erika Rosenberg discusses with Erric what the basis of compassion is, how it helps with every aspect of our lives, and gives practical, experientially focused exercises to help us have more compassion. Compassion is a revolution, both in how we view the world and its potentially radical effect on our world. Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, and educator who seeks to help people understand themselves and one another better, connect with one another, find peace and joy in life, and suffer less. Erika is a co-creator of the Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) program at Stanford University, Founding Faculty at The Compassion Institute, and faculty at The Nyingma Institute, Berkeley. Erika has taught at places as diverse as Google, Inc., Lerab Ling Monastery, LucasFilm, Upaya Zen Center, Esalen Institute, and Burning Man. She volunteers in psychedelic harm reduction and psychedelic integration through such programs as the Zendo Project and the Psychedelic Sangha, NYC. Dr. Rosenberg’s work focuses on the study of emotion, emotion expression and contemplative science. At the Center for Mind and Brain at UC Davis, Erika Rosenberg is a member of the Saron Lab, which conducts multi-disciplinary, pathbreaking research in contemplative science. Erika is an expert in human facial expressions and the Facial Action Coding System, with clients in academia, industry, and the arts, worldwide. Her books include What the Face Reveals (with Paul Ekman, now in its 3rd edition) and the widely used Introductory Psychology text, Psychology: Perspectives & Connections, now in its 6th edition). Dr. Rosenberg’s published scientific work on facial expression span basic affective science on research on emotional processes, social psychological research on facial expression recognition, studies of the effects of meditation on emotional behavior, and health psychological risk factors for heart disease. You can find out more about her at www.erikarosenberg.com /episode/index/show/4f2c34a1-a076-434d-b7f5-39ccc5575a4c/id/32399877

Sacred Substances: Superstition or Revelation? 07/02/2024

Sacred Substances: Superstition or Revelation? Sometimes at Tibetan Buddhist teachings or Tantric Initiations, attendees receive an envelop filled with sacred substances. Today we are joined by Dr. James Gentry to discuss the history, function and efficacy of one of the most famous substances—Mani pills. These pills are made through the process of meditation by special Buddhist Yogis and Yoginis, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So what are they and why should we care? James Gentry is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University’s School of Humanities and Sciences. He specializes in Tibetan Buddhism, with particular focus on the literature and history of its Tantric traditions. He is the author of Power Objects in Tibetan Buddhism: The Life, Writings, and Legacy of Sokdokpa Lodrö Gyeltsen, which examines the roles of Tantric material and sensory objects in the lives and institutions of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhists. James’s research ranges across Tibetan and Himalayan intellectual history, material culture, contemplative and ritual practice, and scriptural translation, revelation, and canonicity, from the Tibetan imperial period to the present. His current projects include a study of the reception in Tibet from the 9th century to the present of the “Five Protectors” (Pañcarakṣā)—a set of five Indian Tantric Buddhist texts that have been among the most popular scriptures used for pragmatic purposes throughout the Buddhist world. James is also doing a study of a comprehensive literary treatment of Himalayan religious material culture: a 20th century compilation entitled A Treatise on the Paraphernalia and Musical Instruments of the Old School of Secret Mantra. His work on this compilation is directed toward the creation of a multimedia encyclopedia of Tibetan Buddhist material culture for use among scholars, teachers, and students of Asian religions. Before joining Stanford, James was on the faculty of the University of Virginia. He has also taught at Rangjung Yeshe Institute’s Centre for Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University, where he served as director of its Master of Arts program in Translation, Textual Interpretation, and Philology. He has also served as editor-in-chief of the project 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, which aims to commission English translations of the Buddhist sūtras, tantras, and commentaries preserved in Tibetan translation and publish them in an online open-access forum 84000.com. /episode/index/show/4f2c34a1-a076-434d-b7f5-39ccc5575a4c/id/31976272

Buddha’s Nuns Naughty or Nice - Dr. Annie Heckman 06/03/2024

Buddha’s Nuns Naughty or Nice - Dr. Annie Heckman The Buddhist canon is filled with pithy teachings from and stories about Buddha. Many of the sutras, where Buddha gives profound answers to questions posed by his students have become very well known, even outside Buddhist circles. Lesser known to modern practitioners, are the stories that lead to the guidelines that support monastic practitioners on the path to awakening. In particular, there are many stories about his students misbehaving and how the Buddha was able to turn these situations into opportunities for progressing on the path . These stories became a list of guidelines and precepts, referred to as the Vinaya. In today’s episode, we will focus on some of the stories about nuns that are largely unknown to modern day meditators. Dr. Annie Heckman, an expert in the field, and Erric Solomon explore how these stories have enabled Buddhist practitioners' realization and continue to inform us in today’s the modern world. Dr. Annie Heckman Associate Translator, 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha Born in Chicago, Annie Heckman is an Associate Translator for 84000 whose research focuses on stories about nuns in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, with an emphasis on fourteenth-century Tibetan editorial and digesting practices. She holds MA and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion and Book History and Print Culture collaborative program, as well as a BFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MFA from New York University in Studio Arts. She studied Tibetan language and literature at the University of Chicago Graham School prior to pursuing graduate work in Buddhist studies. She has taught at DePaul University, contributed to Bird of Paradise Press in Virginia, and worked as a reviewer of Dunhuang manuscripts at McMaster University, where she was an Ontario Visiting Graduate Student from 2017 to 2019. She was among the first three recipients of the annual Tsadra Foundation Dissertation Fellowship for Tibetan Buddhist Studies, with a thesis on Butön Rinchen Drub’s digest of vinaya narratives involving nuns. /episode/index/show/4f2c34a1-a076-434d-b7f5-39ccc5575a4c/id/31575352

Navigating Modern Buddhism with Barry Boyce 05/03/2024

Navigating Modern Buddhism with Barry Boyce In this Episode, Author, Writing Coach, Journalist, Mindfulness expert and Buddhist Meditator, Barry Boyce is our guest. He and Erric have a wide ranging conversation about Mindfulness Meditation and Buddhism in today's world. Is mindfulness a net plus or just a watered down version of Buddhist practice? Do modern urban Budhist centers meet the needs of people in today's chaotic fast moving world? Find out what Erric and Barry think in this thought provoking conversation. Barry Boyce is Founding Editor of Mindful magazine and . A meditation practitioner since the early seventies and a teacher since the early eighties—as well as a professional writer and editor— he is the editor of and a primary contributor to The Mindfulness Revolution: Leading Psychologists, Scientists, Artists, and Meditation Teachers on the Power of Mindfulness in Daily Life. Barry also worked closely with Congressman Tim Ryan, as developmental editor, on A Mindful Nation and The Real Food Revolution, and with Sharon Salzberg on her 2021 book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, as well as two of her upcoming books. Other authors whose books he has edited or been consulted on include Dacher Keltner, Janice Marturano, Caverly Morgan, Christiane Wolf, Susan Kaiser-Greenland, Frank Ostaseski, and Andy Karr. He is a member of the group that created the renowned Denma translation of Sun Tzu’s Art of War and co-author of The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and Conflict; Strategies from the Art of War. In addition to being board chair of the Foundation for a Mindful Society, Barry is secretary of the board of directors of the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, and is a member of the advisory board of Peace in Schools, in Portland, Oregon. He is a father and grandfather who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His daughters and granddaughters live in Toronto. /episode/index/show/4f2c34a1-a076-434d-b7f5-39ccc5575a4c/id/31084248

Modern Insights into Ancient Wisdom with Erric Solomon 04/04/2024

On Rebirth with Andreas Doctor 03/05/2024

Translating the Dharma with Catherine Dalton 02/10/2024

What is View with John Dunne 01/07/2024

The Meaning of Compassion with Julia Stenzel 12/07/2023

Engaging with Modernity with Andy Karr 11/07/2023

Redefining Faith with Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel 10/09/2023

A Healthy and Happy Life, with Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche 09/09/2023

The Kind Heartfulness Podcast

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