Teacher, David Harshada Wagner, joins Raghu to discuss the intersection of selfless service with becoming nobody, depict the importance of keeping a loving inner guru, & share poetry of Kabir.
David Harshada Wagner is a creative mindset consultant, teacher, author, artist and proud father who has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the path of selfless service, spiritual awakening, and radical self-transformation. His training is vast and varied, from 12 Step Recovery training, to the Indian wisdom traditions of Yoga, Bhakti, Vedanta, and Tantric Shaivism. David has served on the faculties of YogaGlo, Kripalu, and Omega, and is the author of Backbone – the Modern Man’s Ultimate Guide to Purpose Passion and Power. David currently is based in in Ojai, California and travels widely serving his worldwide community. For more info, please visit DavidHWagner.com
Habits, Addiction, & Witness
Catching up together on life within the covid-19 bardo, Raghu and longtime friend, David H Wagner, reflect on how they are ebbing with the flows of change specifically catalyzed by this pandemic. Speaking to the inherent benefits and pitfalls of having this much personal time, Raghu and David explore the ‘dangerous opportunity’ of navigating our habitual patterns and daily addictions.
“It’s amazing the potential grace that does come from not floundering in the habitual patterns that we have been used to for so long. Then, you’re able to take a look at that and go, ‘Wow, that’s interesting,’ and you clearly see the escape mechanisms.” – Raghu Markus
Raghu and Dr. Gabor Mate dive into hungry ghosts, addiction, and healing from trauma with compassionate inquiry, on Ep. 219 of Mindrolling
Seva & Becoming Nobody (12:08)
Touching on the nuanced cross-section of seva (selfless service) with Ram Dass’ concept of ‘becoming nobody,‘ David and Raghu examine how to offer ourselves and our gifts honestly, from where we are. Explaining the interconnected perspective inherent in true seva, as it is service to the One; Raghu invites David to share his experience in the practice of offering selfless service, exploring it’s effect on his personal sadhana (spiritual journey).
“If we have the great fortune of meeting these deeply realized beings, sometimes we lose track of how important our middle attainments are, in-between being completely lost and being completely awake.” – David Harshada Wagner
For a dharma talk from Ram Dass illuminating the spiritual journey from ‘somebody’ to ‘nobody,’ tune into Ep. 162 of Here & Now
Inner Guru & Guru Tattva (24:32)
Prompted by Raghu sharing a relatable Larry David bit hilariously exemplifying the inner-critic which may arise when we are watching the Superbowl or binging cop shows; David takes the opportunity to describe how this very dialogue of ‘guru’ and ‘disciple’ is created internally through the intentional act of meditation. After explaining the importance of allowing a sweet, loving inner guru, David describes ‘guru tattva,’ highlighting the external guru’s role as reflecting back the boundless reality of your own inner being.
“I call it the ‘post patriarchal guru paradigm,’ which is: In ancient times there would only be one guru that would even possibly come into our karma in our lifetime. Nowadays, many people are going to get the ‘guru tattva’ almost like a nutrient from many different sources.” – David Harshada Wagner
Dive into more David Harshada Wagner and Raghu, as they guide us through cultivating versatile wisdom, on Ep. 86 of Mindrolling
Maharajji, Kabir, & The Marketplace (38:28)
Raghu and David weave the conversation into talk about the Saint poet, Kabir, sharing about his life and impact. For more resources and poetry from Kabir, the Kabir Project website that David refers to is: ajabshahar.com
“I am in the world, but not concerned with the world. I am going through the marketplace, but not as a purchaser.” – RamDass, quoting Maharajji, quoting Kabir, from Miracle of Love
Images via David Harshada Wagner and @BeachBabeStock on Twenty20