Mindrolling – Raghu Markus – Ep. 317 – The Bhakti-Buddhist Connection with Lama Surya Das

Bhakti-Buddhist connection

Lama Surya Das and Raghu Markus share stories about their gurus as they explore the Bhakti-Buddhist connection, a meeting point of warm compassion and cool wisdom.

Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, and is a living embodiment of the Bhakti-Buddhist connection. Listen to more of him on the Awakening Now podcast.

Links from this episode:  | Becoming Nobody Deva Bhumi | BHNN on YouTube
The Price of Milk

Raghu and Lama Surya Das start the show by sharing stories of their guru, Neem Karoli Baba. They talk about the special connection that the Indian people had with the Westerners, and how a simple conversation about the price of milk can mean so much more.

“Look, they can meditate!” – Neem Karoli Baba, about his Western devotees

Tears of Devotion (27:56)

Raghu asks Lama Surya Das to talk about his time with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who was the Dalai Lama’s Dzogchen guru. They discuss the importance of seeking out the tears of devotion, of tuning into the presence of the beings who move you.

“A turn of a perspective is huge. You can see where you’re stuck in believing in the thoughts, believing in our stories, chasing those habitual patterns and neurotic tendencies.” – Raghu Markus

Blessings of the Guru (42:13)

Raghu wants more about Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche from Lama Surya Das, who obliges with a couple of mind-blowing tales. They explore how the blessings of the guru aren’t always sweet, and take a question from the audience about balancing codependence and selflessness. Raghu ends the show with a Neem Karoli Baba story about unconditional love.

“We can develop warm, empathic compassion, not just cool, calm, discriminating, awareness wisdom.” – Lama Surya Das

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Images via Nina Rao and Mary Godschalk