From the genetic and cultural forces that shape us to Hindu remembrance rituals, Dr. Svoboda explores what it means to live in relationship with our ancestors.
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This time on Living with Reality, Dr. Svoboda illuminates:
- How traditional cultures keep ancestors alive
- Becoming more aware of our own ancestors
- Genetics, Epigenetics, and the people we are raised by
- Internalized vs. externalized ancestral experiences
- Traditional Indian perspectives on how ancestors influence us
- Archetypal ancestors (rather than blood-relation) of certain cultures
- Post-death rituals for the ancestors in Indian culture: Shraddha and Tarpan
- Pitru Paksha: a Hindu fortnight (typically in September) dedicated to remembering and honoring ancestors
- How neglected ancestors communicate their displeasure
“All too often, grief is a private affair, and once you’re dead you’re simply gone. In traditional cultures, however, the ancestors are not really gone. They’re certainly not passive; they actively remain participants in the lives of their descendants. They can help, and they can also hinder.” –Dr. Svoboda
About Dr. Robert Svoboda:
Dr. Robert Svoboda is the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training, he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He is the author of twelve books, including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution and the Aghora series, which discusses his experiences with his mentor during the years 1975 to 1983.
In the years since 1986, Dr. Svoboda has traveled extensively, spending an average of three months per year in India. He often speaks on Ayurveda, Jyotish, Tantra, and allied subjects in locales across the world.
Join Dr. Svoboda’s courses, watch the latest video in Dr. Svoboda’s 5 Minutes series on Youtube and follow Dr. Svoboda on Facebook and Instagram for updates, events, and new content. You can also check out www.drsvoboda.com

