Dr. Raj Kumar Mani, distinguished pulmonologist and critical care pioneer, discovered profound spiritual dimensions after devastating early losses—his father at 14, his mother at 23. In that grief, "a sense of an immense presence descended on me." This awakening transformed how he practiced medicine, leading pioneering work in non-invasive ventilation, sleep medicine, and India's landmark right-to-die legislation. Now he bridges clinical care with contemplative presence, finding the sacred in everyday moments and treating patients as whole persons. His journey reveals how yoga, poetry, and spiritual practice sustain a physician navigating life's fragility and medicine's demands. Topics: Spiritual awakening, grief and transformation, pulmonology, critical care medicine, yoga practice, contemplative medicine, poetry and spirituality, end-of-life care, right to die, living wills, non-invasive ventilation, medical ethics, loss and bereavement, consciousness, integration of spirituality and medicine, physician wellness, walking meditation, Indian medicine, COVID-19 frontline care About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion A Lotus in the Mud: Building Wellness Media Across Continents Why Not Me? A Carpenter's Journey from Yoga Student to Cancer Warrior Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday and Podmasana Preview episodes the following Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members every other Tuesday Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of the journey and thank you for your support!

Dr. Raj Kumar Mani shares his thoughts and experiences with Brendon about the common threads throughout various societies and spiritual traditions. Full episode releases December 24, 2025. Topics: Spiritual awakening, grief and transformation, pulmonology, critical care medicine, yoga practice, contemplative medicine, poetry and spirituality, end-of-life care, right to die, living wills, non-invasive ventilation, medical ethics, loss and bereavement, consciousness, integration of spirituality and medicine, physician wellness, walking meditation, Indian medicine, COVID-19 frontline care About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday and Podmasana Preview episodes the following Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members (3 days in advance) Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of the journey and thank you for your support!

Dr. Vijay Jayade, retired orthodontist and devoted student of the Bhagavad Gita, has spent decades making ancient wisdom accessible to modern readers. After watching generations lose connection to the Gita's teachings while struggling with anxiety, depression, and desperate competition, he took a radical approach—reorganizing the entire text by topic rather than verse order, writing "as a common man for other commoners." Now translating his Marathi book into English at age 80+, Dr. Jayade shares how Karma Yoga and mental equanimity from a 2,000-year-old battlefield dialogue offer guidance for navigating today's crises. Topics Bhagavad Gita, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, mental equanimity, spiritual accessibility, ancient wisdom, modern anxiety, depression, Sanskrit, spiritual teaching, common man approach, Dharma, orthodontics and spirituality, Indian philosophy, devotional practice, Marathi translation. About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Big thanks to Joanna Orr for becoming a Podmasana+ member! Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday and Podmasana Preview episodes the following Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members (3 days in advance) Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of the journey and thank you for your support!

Subscribe or follow My Mindful Moment to get ad-free episodes of that show in your podcast feed. October 10th, 2025. Brendon Orr walks his 16-year-old dog Amelia through a golden sunlit meadow. But Amelia stops—perhaps the first time in her life she clearly doesn't wish to walk. Three deer appear in the tall grass, watching peacefully. Brendon locks eyes with one deer. A profound moment of stillness. He looks down at Amelia looking up at him. Together they watch the deer slowly walk into the tree line, as if returning to where they came from. A tear passes down Brendon's cheek. "It's time to go home now, isn't it girl?" Amelia passes that afternoon. If we are still enough and listening openly, the universe speaks. This was Brendon’s Mindful Moment. Submit yours to mymindfulmoment@podmasana.com. For more information, visit https://podmasana.com/mymindfulmoment. Topics Loss of a pet, dog death, end of life, saying goodbye, mindfulness in grief, deer encounter, animal communication, last moments, recognizing endings, new beginnings, profound stillness, universe speaking, trust in timing, life transitions, sacred moments, presence in loss, honoring grief, animal companions, 16-year-old dog, sister dogs, moving with elderly pets, when it's time, peaceful passing, tears and love, listening to wisdom, chapters closing and opening Listen to previous My Mindful Moments: https://my-mindful-moment.castos.com/  Listen to Podmasana: https://podmasana.castos.com/  Yogascussion Podcast: https://yogascussion.castos.com/ 

You know those moments when enlightenment, insight, and wisdom find us? When the universe speaks to us during periods of adversity, joy, or stillness and we feel more aware, mindful, and present having listened to it? What if we took the time to record those moments and share them with others? This is the inspiration behind Podmasana’s sibling podcast, My Mindful Moment where you are invited to listen to the mindful moments of others from around the world and share your own.  Share Your Mindful Moment Send your recording via email to mymindfulmoment@podmasana.com. Feel free to include a photo of yourself that you would like to include with your Mindful Moment. Further instructions are below. Instructions Find a quiet room or space and open a recording app on your phone. Speaking in full sentences, please share your Mindful Moment. No need to write down your story and read it from paper, but feel free to do so if that makes you more comfortable. Just try to keep it natural. Please keep the submitted recording to less than three minutes. Your recording should include (but does not need to be limited to):  Your name (feel free to use an anonymous alias) A particular moment or experience that left you feeling more enlightened, inspired or wise. Share as much about the moment as you can recall: When did it happen? What was it like? How did it make you feel more mindful? Why do you want to share it with others? Again, please try to keep the submitted recording to less than three minutes. When you are finished, email the file to the show. For more detailed instructions, see the recording tips page.

Dr. Vijay Jayade and Brendon discuss The Bhagavad Gita's path to modern happiness. About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: Making the Gita Accessible From Grief to Grace: A Doctor's Spiritual Awakening The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion A Lotus in the Mud Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday and Podmasana Preview episodes the following Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members 3 days in advance Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of the journey and thank you for your support!

Everything starts with a thought. But what if those thoughts are the architects of your reality, the silent sculptors of your destiny? Pete Allman, psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience, joins us to explore his book "Thoughts: The Power of Your Mind"—a unique alphabetical journey through wisdom from Aristotle to Gary Zukav. Each chapter pairs a provocative quote with practical insights drawn from Pete's work guiding clients through anxiety, depression, personal growth, and relationship challenges. We explore powerful ideas: Aristotle's wisdom about entertaining thoughts without accepting them, Buddha's teaching that we become what we think, Einstein's insight that we can't solve problems with the thinking that created them. Through quotes from Gandhi, Jesus, Maya Angelou, Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey, and even Yoda, Pete illuminates how belief shapes capacity and reality. Pete's message is both empowering and challenging: like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we possess the power to transform our lives, but first we must understand that the mind is "a wonderful servant, but a dangerous master if left unexamined." Drawing from Eastern philosophy that has informed his spiritual journey and therapeutic practice, Pete invites us to become our own gurus—to consciously connect our intentions with our experiences. From understanding the two sources of thoughts, to processing fear's path to suffering, to applying ancient wisdom to contemporary global conflicts, this conversation offers practical tools for creating the life you want by mastering the most powerful force you possess: your mind. Topics: Thought patterns, belief systems, consciousness, psychotherapy, Eastern philosophy, personal transformation, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, authentic power, intentional living About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: Making the Gita Accessible From Grief to Grace: A Doctor's Spiritual Awakening The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for early access to ad-free episodes from the full show archive Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram | Threads Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members every other Tuesday Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a revie...

In this Podmasana Preview episode, Brendon asks Pete about the wisdom of Yoda from Star Wars as it pertains to the concept of 'beginner's mind' and how that concept can be applied to our lives. The full episode airs next Wednesday for the public three days earlier for Podmasana+ members. About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: The Power of Your Mind Making the Gita Accessible From Grief to Grace: A Doctor's Spiritual Awakening The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members 3 days in advance Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of the journey and thank you for your support!

In a world increasingly driven by data and metrics, how do we reconnect with the deeper spiritual dimensions of human experience? Ron Frost, professor emeritus of geology at the University of Wyoming and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, bridges the worlds of scientific understanding and spiritual insight in this profound conversation. Ron shares the transformative spiritual experience he had at age 16 in a snowy New Jersey forest—an encounter with infinite light that shaped his lifelong journey. After years of wrestling with how to reconcile the material world of science with the spiritual dimension he knew permeated reality, Ron participated in the ultimate training in Tibetan Buddhism: the Three Year Retreat, during which he took temporary monastic vows. We explore the eight common features found across all world religions, the philosophical foundations that connect Judeo-Christian beliefs with scientific inquiry, and why the conflict between science and religion doesn't have to exist. Ron explains how neurotheology studies the brain during spiritual experiences, why creativity in science points beyond pure rationality, and how practices like meditation and yoga are influencing Western spirituality. From continental drift paradigms to the benzene ring discovered in a dream, Ron demonstrates how both science and spirituality require openness to trans-rational thinking. As we face climate change, social upheaval, and technological transformation, Ron sees a parallel spiritual awakening happening "under the radar"—one that may be essential for humanity's evolution. Topics: Materialism vs. spirituality, religious experience, neurotheology, meditation, interfaith dialogue, yoga philosophy, scientific paradigms, consciousness, Tibetan Buddhism About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: The Power of Your Mind From Grief to Grace: A Doctor's Spiritual Awakening The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion Making the Gita Accessible Support the show: Subscribe to Podmasana+ for extra benefits, content and perks Donate to the Show Shop the Podmasana Store Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Social Media: YouTube | Bluesky | Mastodon | Instagram | Threads Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members every other Tuesday Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes every other Sunday (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share the show with others...

Welcome to Podmasana: Illuminating Timeless Spirituality and Wisdom Thank you for being here. This introduction episode welcomes you to Podmasana—a space dedicated to exploring the landscape of human spirituality through authentic conversations with teachers, scholars, practitioners, and seekers. In This Episode: Discover what Podmasana is and why it exists Learn about our mission to explore ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions alongside their modern applications Hear about upcoming conversations exploring spirituality in the age of materialism, grief and grace, yoga as refuge, and making ancient texts accessible Find out how you can support the show and become part of our community About Podmasana: Podmasana explores the evolution and history of ancient mindfulness, spiritual practices, and wisdom traditions, fostering learning, self-discovery, and collective growth through researched history, expert interviews, and personal narratives. Our vision is to create a global community of spiritually aware and mindful individuals inspired by those leading the way to a more connected and enlightened world. Upcoming Episodes: Spirituality in the Age of Materialism The Power of Your Mind From Grief to Grace: A Doctor's Spiritual Awakening The Refuge of Practice and Teaching: Yoga, Trauma, and Self-Compassion Making the Gita Accessible Connect With Podmasana: Website: podmasana.com Submit Guest Ideas: ideas@podmasana.com Submit Feedback: feedback@podmasana.com Support the Show: podmasana.com/support Current Release Schedule: New episodes every other Wednesday Early access for Podmasana+ members on Tuesdays Exclusive Podmasana Portal episodes on Sundays (Wisdom Seeker & Enlightened Circle members) Follow and subscribe now so you don't miss an episode. Leave a review and share with someone on their own spiritual journey. Thank you for being part of this journey and thank you for your support!