Roshi Joan Halifax returns to Mindrolling to remember her unique and playful relationship with Ram Dass, and talk about how wise hope is rooted in the radical uncertainty we face today.
Our beloved Roshi Joan Halifax is a contributor to the BHNN Guest Podcast. You can find wisdom from her about radical uncertainty, wise hope, and so much more at upaya.org.
Opposites Attract
Raghu welcomes Roshi Joan back to the Mindrolling Podcast and asks for some of the highlights from her lovingly playful relationship with Ram Dass. Roshi Joan talks about their unique combination of Zen and Bhakti, and the tremendous influence Ram Dass had on her work with psychedelics and death. Raghu and Roshi Joan discuss Neem Karoli Baba and his connection to emptiness.
“I think the reason why Ram Dass and I were so fun together is that we were so different… I learned a lot from being in his presence, with him bringing forth this Bhakti element.” – Roshi Joan Halifax
RamDev explores conscious dying on Healing at the Edge Ep. 18
Radical Uncertainty and Wise Hope (27:04)
Raghu asks Roshi Joan about how we can embrace the mystery of our new pandemic-colored reality. Roshi Joan explores living in the flow of radical uncertainty, and how that offers an opportunity to connect with wise hope. She talks about her relationship with the concept of hope, and how it’s not something based on optimism.
“We’re living in a flow of radical uncertainty. And what it’s teaching us, I feel, which is a very profound lesson, is the truth of emptiness and groundlessness. That we can really not control anything. We don’t know what will happen in the next moment.” – Roshi Joan Halifax
Actualize Compassion (41:43)
Raghu and Roshi Joan talk about how we’re currently all standing on the edge. Roshi Joan emphasizes the need for compassion right now, as so many people are fragile and vulnerable. She offers a brief meditation on how we can cultivate compassion.
“At this point in our world, I think the most important thing to do is to actualize compassion. Not only for the benefit of others, but to transform the delusions that beset us.” Roshi Joan Halifax
