Episodes

  • [English] Meditation can potentially lead to a more peaceful world

    [English] Meditation can potentially lead to a more peaceful world
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] In one of his conversations, Sam Harris describes an intriguing experience he had, when he met the Indian Guru Poonjaji. He says the experience was far deeper than what he had gone through in many meditation retreats that lasted for months.By the way, Sam Harris is an American neuroscientist turned meditation teacher, who spent several years studying meditation in India. He is highly rational, and his primary interest was to understand how meditation can produce states similar to those induced by drugs like MDMA.Poonjaji's teachings did not impress Sam very much. But something else puzzled him. How could the mere presence of Poonjaji, even for a short period, take him into such a deep experience? Poonjaji was known to be very frugal with words, almost refusing to teach anything. So, how was such a profound experience delivered—without any physical or verbal means?That was what puzzled Sam. His rational mind had no explanation.Can the mind communicate without any direct medium? And can such communication be so deep, so transforming, and yet so perceptible?For Sam, this remained a puzzle that he could never solve, despite all his neuroscience background.But yes, in certain states, the mind seems to have such capabilities. It can communicate in non-verbal ways—not just with humans, but even with non-human beings such as animals and other creatures.I have seen dogs, and even poisonous snakes, become completely docile when approached in a certain state of mind.If that is true, is it possible to completely transform an aggressor just through mental power? That would end all conflicts and wars.In the late 70s and 80s, that is what the well-known Indian Guru Mahesh Yogi claimed. He offered to stop fierce wars by sending a group of meditators to the battlefield. The meditators would silently meditate—and just like that, the enemy would give up their aggression.I wish it were really true. That would have saved many lives and much suffering.But does it really work that way? Can a mind—whatever state it is in—influence another mind in such a way that aggressive tendencies are given up?Maharshi and his followers offered "sound" theories on how such a thing might be possible. They even had a few research papers on the subject. But most people dismissed it as mere publicity.Personally, I do believe that the mind has such a capability. But does it always work?If you look at history, it does not.Buddha, who had such a powerful mind, could reform even a tyrant like Ajathashatru in a single sitting. Yet, he could not prevent the endless infighting among his own followers.Even a kind and all-loving Jesus Christ was tortured and crucified. His mental power had no effect on his tormentors.The all-powerful Krishna could not stop the bloody massacre that followed the terrible Mahabharata war.As a friend of mine once said jokingly, having a powerful radio station means nothing if the receiver is not even switched on—let alone tuned in. To receive, the other must be receptive.So, reducing aggression through mental power alone is wishful thinking.It may influence a curious Sam, but not an aggressor whose mind is closed.So, I am not offering meditation as a solution for an ongoing war. But it can be a tool to prevent future war-like situations.Meditation has the ability to calm a turbulent mind. A calm mind does not easily fall prey to divisive triggers. It can regulate emotional outbursts and give space for reason.So yes, I strongly recommend meditation as a preventive measure to avoid wars—as a form of prophylaxis, and not as a futile firefighting exercise.We need to train our children in meditative practices as part of their upbringing. That may not result in a conflict-free world, nor transform an aggressor. But it will definitely reduce the chances of aggressive behavior.But which meditation method should we teach them?Nowadays, there are many gurus, each with their own meditation technique.• One recommends fast-paced breathing.• Another suggests passively observing the breath.• One asks you to focus on the tip of the nose or the space between the eyebrows.• Another talks about focusing on an imagined "energy" moving up and down the spine.• One asks you to focus on a monosyllabic sound.• Another asks you to chant a mantra.As many gurus, so many techniques.Which one is the best?It is like asking what the best way to eat is.A Japanese or Chinese person uses chopsticks. A European uses a knife and fork. An Indian prefers to use bare hands.• Neither way is superior, and none is inferior.• As long as the objective is to satisfy hunger, any method works.• Whatever suits your conditions is the right one for you.• As long as no one asks you to eat in an upside-down headstand, it is fine.Similarly, as long as the meditation leads you to a calm mind, it is fine. Anything that leads you into a hallucinatory path should be avoided.Do any of these methods take you to the ...
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  • [Spanish] La meditación puede conducir potencialmente a un mundo más pacífico

    [Spanish] La meditación puede conducir potencialmente a un mundo más pacífico
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] En una de sus conversaciones, Sam Harris describe una experiencia intrigante que tuvo cuando conoció al gurú indio Pundiayi. Dice que la experiencia fue mucho más profunda que lo que había vivido en muchos retiros de meditación que duraron meses.Por cierto, Sam Harris es un neurocientífico estadounidense convertido en maestro de meditación, que pasó varios años estudiando meditación en la India. Es un ultrarracionalista, y su principal interés era entender cómo la meditación puede producir el mismo tipo de estados elevados que los inducidos por drogas como MDMA.Las enseñanzas de Pundiayi no impresionaron mucho a Sam. Pero lo que le desconcertó fue otra cosa. ¿Cómo pudo la mera presencia de Pundiayi, incluso por un corto período, llevarlo a una experiencia tan profunda? Pundiayi era conocido por ser muy parco en palabras, casi negándose a enseñar algo. Entonces, ¿cómo se produjo una experiencia tan profunda—sin ningún medio físico o verbal?Eso fue lo que desconcertó a Sam. Su mente racional no tenía explicación.¿Puede la mente comunicarse sin ningún medio directo? ¿Y puede esa comunicación ser tan profunda, tan transformadora y aun así tan perceptible?Para Sam, esto siguió siendo un misterio que nunca pudo resolver, a pesar de todo su conocimiento en neurociencia.Pero sí, aparentemente la mente, en ciertos estados, parece tener esas capacidades. Puede comunicarse de formas no verbales—no solo con humanos, sino incluso con seres no humanos como animales y otras criaturas.He visto perros, e incluso serpientes venenosas, volverse completamente dóciles cuando se les acerca en cierto estado mental.Si eso fuera cierto, ¿es posible transformar completamente a un agresor solo con el poder de la mente? Eso pondría fin a todos los conflictos y guerras.A finales de los años 70 y 80, eso es lo que afirmaba el conocido gurú indio Mahesh Yogi. Ofreció detener guerras intensas enviando a un grupo de meditadores al campo de batalla. Los meditadores simplemente meditarían en silencio—y listo, el enemigo abandonaría su agresión.Ojalá fuera realmente cierto. Eso habría salvado muchas vidas y sufrimiento.Pero, ¿realmente ocurre de esa manera? ¿Puede una mente—en cualquier estado en que se encuentre—influir en otra mente de tal forma que se abandonen las tendencias agresivas?Maharshi y sus seguidores ofrecieron teorías "sólidas" sobre cómo algo así es posible. Incluso tenían un par de trabajos de investigación sobre el tema. Pero la mayoría de la gente lo descartó como simples estrategias publicitarias.Personalmente, sí creo que la mente tiene esa capacidad. Pero, ¿funciona siempre?Si miras la historia, no ha sido así.Buda, quien tenía una mente tan poderosa, pudo reformar incluso a un tirano como Ajathashatru en una sola ocasión. Sin embargo, no pudo evitar las interminables disputas entre sus propios seguidores.Incluso un ser tan bondadoso y lleno de amor como Jesucristo fue torturado y crucificado. Su poder mental no tuvo efecto sobre sus verdugos.El todopoderoso Krishna no pudo detener la sangrienta masacre que siguió a la terrible guerra del Mahabharata.Como un amigo mío dijo en tono de broma, tener una estación de radio potente no sirve de nada si el receptor ni siquiera está encendido, mucho menos sintonizado. Para recibir, el otro debe ser receptivo.Así que reducir la agresión mediante una mente poderosa es solo un deseo ilusorio.Puede influir en un Sam curioso, pero no en un agresor cuya mente está cerrada.Así que no estoy proponiendo la meditación como un remedio para una guerra en curso. Pero sí puede ser una herramienta para prevenir situaciones similares en el futuro.La meditación tiene la capacidad de calmar una mente turbulenta. Una mente calmada no cae fácilmente en provocaciones divisivas. Puede modular los arrebatos emocionales y dar espacio a la razón.Por lo tanto, sí recomiendo la meditación como una posible medida preventiva para evitar guerras—como una profilaxis, y no como un intento inútil de apagar incendios.Necesitamos entrenar a nuestros niños en prácticas meditativas como parte de su formación. Puede que eso no genere un mundo libre de conflictos, ni transforme a un agresor. Pero definitivamente reducirá las probabilidades de comportamientos agresivos.Pero, ¿qué método de meditación deberíamos enseñarles?Hoy en día, hay tantos gurús, cada uno con su propia técnica de meditación.• Uno recomienda respiración rápida.• Otro sugiere observar la respiración pasivamente.• Uno pide fijar la mirada en la punta de la nariz o en el espacio entre las cejas.• Otro habla de enfocarse en una "energía" imaginada que sube y baja por la columna.• Uno pide concentrarse en un sonido monosilábico.• Otro pide repetir un mantra.Tantos gurús, tantas técnicas.¿Cuál es la mejor?Es como preguntar cuál es la mejor manera de comer.Un japonés o un chino usa palillos. Un ...
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  • [German] Meditation kann potenziell zu einer friedlicheren Welt führen

    [German] Meditation kann potenziell zu einer friedlicheren Welt führen
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] In einem seiner Gespräche beschreibt Sam Harris eine faszinierende Erfahrung, die er machte, als er den indischen Guru Pun-dscha-dschi traf. Er sagt, dass diese Erfahrung weit über das hinausging, was er in vielen Meditationsretreats erlebt hatte, die Monate dauerten.Übrigens ist Sam Harris ein amerikanischer Neurowissenschaftler, der zum Meditationslehrer wurde und mehrere Jahre in Indien Meditation studierte. Er ist ein ausgeprägter Rationalist, und sein Hauptinteresse bestand darin zu verstehen, wie Meditation ähnliche Zustände hervorrufen kann wie jene, die durch Drogen wie MDMA ausgelöst werden.Pun-dscha-dschis Lehren beeindruckten Sam nicht besonders. Aber etwas anderes brachte ihn ins Grübeln. Wie konnte allein die bloße Anwesenheit von Pun-dscha-dschi, selbst für kurze Zeit, ihn in eine so tiefe Erfahrung führen? Das war es, was Sam verwirrte. Sein rationaler Verstand hatte keine Erklärung dafür.Kann der Geist ohne ein direktes Medium kommunizieren? Und kann eine solche Kommunikation so tief, so transformierend und dennoch so wahrnehmbar sein?Für Sam blieb dies ein Rätsel, das er trotz seines gesamten neurowissenschaftlichen Hintergrunds nie lösen konnte.Doch ja, offenbar scheint der Geist in bestimmten Zuständen über solche Fähigkeiten zu verfügen. Er kann auf nicht-verbale Weise kommunizieren—nicht nur mit Menschen, sondern sogar mit nicht-menschlichen Wesen wie Tieren und anderen Kreaturen.Ich habe Hunde und sogar giftige Schlangen gesehen, die völlig zahm wurden, wenn man sich ihnen in einem bestimmten Geisteszustand näherte.Wenn das wahr wäre, ist es dann möglich, einen Aggressor allein durch geistige Kräfte vollständig zu verändern? Das würde alle Konflikte und Kriege beenden.In den späten 70er- und 80er-Jahren behauptete das der bekannte indische Guru Mahesh Yogi. Er bot an, heftige Kriege zu stoppen, indem er eine Gruppe von Meditierenden auf das Schlachtfeld schickte. Die Meditierenden würden still meditieren—und siehe da, der Gegner würde seine Aggression aufgeben.Ich wünschte, es wäre wirklich wahr. Das hätte viele Leben und viel Leid erspart.Aber geschieht es wirklich so? Kann ein Geist—egal in welchem Zustand er sich befindet—einen anderen Geist so beeinflussen, dass aggressive Tendenzen aufgegeben werden?Maharshi und seine Anhänger lieferten „solide" Theorien darüber, wie so etwas möglich sein könnte. Sie hatten sogar einige Forschungsarbeiten zu diesem Thema. Doch die meisten Menschen taten es als bloßen Werbegag ab.Persönlich glaube ich, dass der Geist eine solche Fähigkeit besitzt. Aber funktioniert sie immer?Wenn man in die Geschichte blickt, offenbar nicht.Buddha, der einen so kraftvollen Geist hatte, konnte sogar einen Tyrannen wie Ajathashatru in einer einzigen Begegnung verändern. Dennoch konnte er die endlosen Streitigkeiten unter seinen eigenen Anhängern nicht verhindern.Selbst ein so liebevoller und gütiger Mensch wie Jesus Christus wurde gefoltert und gekreuzigt. Seine geistige Kraft hatte keine Wirkung auf seine Peiniger.Der allmächtige Krishna konnte das blutige Gemetzel nach dem schrecklichen Mahabharata-Krieg nicht verhindern.Wie ein Freund von mir einmal scherzhaft sagte: Eine leistungsstarke Radiostation nützt nichts, wenn das Radio nicht einmal eingeschaltet ist—geschweige denn richtig eingestellt. Um zu empfangen, muss der andere empfänglich sein.Aggression allein durch einen kraftvollen Geist zu verringern, ist also Wunschdenken.Es kann einen neugierigen Sam beeinflussen, aber nicht einen Aggressor, dessen Geist verschlossen ist.Ich biete Meditation daher nicht als Mittel an, um einen laufenden Krieg zu beenden. Aber sie kann ein Werkzeug sein, um zukünftige kriegsähnliche Situationen zu verhindern.Meditation hat die Fähigkeit, einen unruhigen Geist zu beruhigen. Ein ruhiger Geist fällt nicht so leicht auf spaltende Reize herein. Er kann emotionale Ausbrüche regulieren und der Vernunft Raum geben.Daher empfehle ich Meditation als eine mögliche vorbeugende Maßnahme zur Vermeidung von Kriegen—als Prophylaxe und nicht als ein vergeblicher Versuch der Schadensbegrenzung.Wir sollten unsere Kinder im Rahmen ihrer Erziehung an meditative Praktiken heranführen. Das wird vielleicht keine konfliktfreie Welt schaffen und keinen Aggressor verwandeln. Aber es wird die Wahrscheinlichkeit aggressiven Verhaltens deutlich verringern.Aber welche Meditationsmethode sollten wir ihnen beibringen?Heutzutage gibt es so viele Gurus, jeder mit seiner eigenen Meditationstechnik.• Einer empfiehlt schnelles Atmen.• Ein anderer schlägt vor, den Atem passiv zu beobachten.• Einer fordert dazu auf, auf die Nasenspitze oder den Raum zwischen den Augenbrauen zu schauen.• Ein anderer spricht davon, sich auf eine vorgestellte „Energie" zu konzentrieren, die die Wirbelsäule auf- und absteigt.• Einer bittet darum, sich auf einen einsilbigen Laut zu konzentrieren.• Ein anderer ...
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  • [Hindi] ध्यान संभवतः एक अधिक शांतिपूर्ण दुनिया की ओर लेजासकता है

    [Hindi] ध्यान संभवतः एक अधिक शांतिपूर्ण दुनिया की ओर लेजासकता है
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] अपने एक संवाद में, Sam Harris बताते हैं कि जब उनकी मुलाकात भारतीय गुरु Poonjaji से हुई, तो उन्हें एक बहुत ही रोचक अनुभव हुआ। वे कहते हैं कि यह अनुभव उन कई ध्यान शिविरों से भी कहीं गहरा था, जिनमें उन्होंने महीनों तक भाग लिया था।वैसे, Sam Harris एक अमेरिकी न्यूरोसाइंटिस्ट हैं जो बाद में ध्यान शिक्षक बन गए। उन्होंने भारत में कई वर्षों तक ध्यान का अध्ययन किया। वे एक अत्यंत तर्कशील व्यक्ति हैं, और उनकी मुख्य रुचि यह समझने में थी कि ध्यान कैसे MDMA जैसी नशीलीदवाओं से मिलनेवाले अनुभवों जैसा प्रभाव पैदा करसकता है।Poonjaji की शिक्षाओं ने Sam को ज्यादा प्रभावित नहीं किया। लेकिन एक और बात ने उन्हें उलझन में डाल दिया। केवल Poonjaji की उपस्थिति, वह भी थोड़े समय केलिए, उन्हें इतनी गहरी अनुभूतितक कैसे ले गई? Poonjaji अपने कम बोलने केलिए जाने जातेथे, मानो वे कुछ सिखाने से लगभग इंकार ही करते हों। तो फिर इतनी गहरी अनुभूति कैसे हुई,—बिना किसी शारीरिक या मौखिक माध्यम के?यही बात Sam को परेशान कररही थी। उनके तर्कसंगत मन के पास इसका कोई उत्तर नहीं था।क्या मन बिना किसी सीधे माध्यम के संवाद करसकता है? और क्या ऐसा संवाद इतना गहरा, इतना परिवर्तित करने वाला, और फिर भी इतना स्पष्ट हो सकता है?Sam केलिए यह एक ऐसा रहस्य बना रहा जिसे वे अपने पूरे न्यूरोसाइंस ज्ञान के बावजूद कभी सुलझा नहीं पाए।लेकिन हाँ, ऐसा लगता है कि कुछ अवस्थाओं में मन में ऐसी क्षमताएँ होती हैं। यह बिना शब्दों के भी संवाद करसकता है—सिर्फ मनुष्यों के साथ ही नहीं, बल्कि जानवरों और अन्य जीवों के साथ भी।मैंने कुत्तों को, और यहाँ तक कि ज़हरीले साँपों को भी, एक विशेष मानसिक अवस्था में पास जाने पर पूरी तरह शांत होते देखा है।अगर यह सच है, तो क्या केवल मानसिक शक्ति से किसी आक्रामक व्यक्ति को पूरी तरह बदलना संभव है? ऐसा होसके तो सभी संघर्ष और युद्ध समाप्त हो जाएँ।1970 और 80 के दशक में, प्रसिद्ध भारतीय गुरु Mahesh Yogi-ने ऐसा ही दावा किया था। उन्होंने कहा कि वे ध्यान करने वालों के एक समूह को युद्धक्षेत्र में भेजकर, भीषण युद्धों को रोक सकते हैं। वे लोग चुपचाप ध्यान करेंगे—और विरोधी अपनी आक्रामकता छोड़देगा।काश यह सच होता। इससे बहुत सी जानें और पीड़ा बच सकती थी।लेकिन क्या वास्तव में ऐसा होता है? क्या कोई मन,—चाहे वह ...
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  • [Telugu] ధ్యానం మరింత శాంతియుతమైన ప్రపంచానికి మార్గం సుగమం చేయగలదు.

    [Telugu] ధ్యానం మరింత శాంతియుతమైన ప్రపంచానికి మార్గం సుగమం చేయగలదు.
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] ఒక సంభాషణలో, Sam Harris భారతీయ గురువు Poonjajiను కలిసినప్పుడు తనకు జరిగిన ఒక ఆసక్తికరమైన అనుభవాన్ని వివరిస్తారు. ఆయన చెప్పిన ప్రకారం, ఆ అనుభవం ఆయన నెలల పాటు పాల్గొన్న అనేక ధ్యాన శిబిరాలలో పొందిన అనుభవాల కంటే చాలా లోతైనది.Sam Harris ఒక అమెరికన్ న్యూరోసైంటిస్ట్, తరువాత ధ్యాన ఉపాధ్యాయుడిగా మారారు. ఆయన భారతదేశంలో అనేక సంవత్సరాలు ధ్యానాన్ని అధ్యయనం చేశారు. ఆయన చాలా తార్కికంగా ఆలోచించే వ్యక్తి. ధ్యానం MDMA వంటి మత్తు పదార్థాల వల్ల కలిగే అనుభవాల వంటి స్థితులను ఎలా సృష్టిస్తుంది అన్నది ఆయన ప్రధాన ఆసక్తి.Poonjaji బోధనలు Samను పెద్దగా ప్రభావితం చేయలేదు. కానీ ఒక విషయం ఆయనను ఆశ్చర్యపరిచింది. కేవలం కొద్దిసేపు Poonjaji యొక్క సాన్నిధ్యం ఆయనను ఇంత లోతైన అనుభవానికి ఎలా తీసుకెళ్లింది? Poonjaji చాలా తక్కువగా మాట్లాడే వ్యక్తిగా ప్రసిద్ధి పొందారు—అంటే దాదాపు ఏమీ బోధించనట్టే ఉండేవారు. అయితే ఎటువంటి శారీరక లేదా వాచిక మార్గం లేకుండా ఇంత లోతైన అనుభవం ఎలా కలిగింది?ఇదే విషయం Samకు అర్థం కాలేదు. ఆయన తార్కిక మనసుకు దీనికి సమాధానం దొరకలేదు.మనసు ఎటువంటి నేరుగా ఉన్న మాధ్యమం లేకుండా సంభాషించగలదా? మరియు అలాంటి సంభాషణ అంత లోతైనది, అంత మార్పును కలిగించేది, అయినప్పటికీ స్పష్టంగా అనుభవించదగినదా?Samకు ఇది ఆయనకు ఉన్న న్యూరోసైన్స్ జ్ఞానం ఉన్నప్పటికీ పరిష్కరించలేని ఒక రహస్యంగా మిగిలిపోయింది.అయితే, కొన్ని స్థితుల్లో మనసుకు అలాంటి సామర్థ్యాలు ఉన్నట్లు కనిపిస్తుంది. అది మాటలేకుండా కూడా సంభాషించగలదు—మానవులతో మాత్రమే కాకుండా, జంతువులు మరియు ఇతర జీవులతో కూడా.ఒక నిర్దిష్ట మనస్థితిలో దగ్గరికి వెళ్లినప్పుడు, కుక్కలు మరియు విషపూరిత పాములు కూడా పూర్తిగా శాంతంగా మారడం నేను చూసాను.ఇది నిజమైతే, కేవలం మనస్సు శక్తితోనే ఒక ఆగ్రహభరిత వ్యక్తిని పూర్తిగా మార్చడం సాధ్యమా? అలా అయితే అన్ని సంఘర్షణలు మరియు యుద్ధాలు ముగిసిపోతాయి.1970 మరియు 80ల కాలంలో, ప్రసిద్ధ భారతీయ గురువు Mahesh Yogi ఇదే వాదించారు. ఆయన ధ్యానుల ఒక గుంపును యుద్ధభూమికి పంపి తీవ్రమైన యుద్ధాలను ఆపగలనని చెప్పారు. వారు నిశ్శబ్దంగా ధ్యానం చేస్తారు—అంతే, శత్రువు తన ఆగ్రహాన్ని వదిలేస్తాడు!అది నిజంగా జరిగితే ఎంత మంచిది! ఎన్నో ప్రాణాలు మరియు బాధలు తప్పించేవి.కానీ ...
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  • [Kannada] ಧ್ಯಾನವು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಶಾಂತವಾದ ವಿಶ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ದಾರಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡಬಹುದು

    [Kannada] ಧ್ಯಾನವು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಶಾಂತವಾದ ವಿಶ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ದಾರಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡಬಹುದು
    Apr 18 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] Sam Harris ಅವರು ಭಾರತೀಯ ಗುರು Poonjaji ಅವರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾದಾಗ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ ಒಂದು ಆಸಕ್ತಿದಾಯಕ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ಒಂದು ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರು ಹೇಳುವಂತೆ, ಆ ಅನುಭವವು ಅವರು ತಿಂಗಳುಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದ ಅನೇಕ ಧ್ಯಾನ ಶಿಬಿರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪಡೆದ ಅನುಭವಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ತುಂಬಾ ಆಳವಾಗಿತ್ತು.Sam Harris ಅವರು ಒಬ್ಬ ಅಮೇರಿಕನ್ ನ್ಯೂರೋಸೈಂಟಿಸ್ಟ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದು, ನಂತರ ಧ್ಯಾನ ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರಾದವರು. ಅವರು ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಧ್ಯಾನವನ್ನು ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರು ತುಂಬಾ ತಾರ್ಕಿಕ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನವರು. ಧ್ಯಾನವು MDMA ಎಂಬ ಮಾದಕ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳಿಂದ ಉಂಟಾಗುವ ಅನುಭವಗಳಂತಹ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಉಂಟುಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅವರ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಆಸಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು.Poonjaji ಅವರ ಬೋಧನೆಗಳು Sam ಅವರನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪ್ರಭಾವಿತಗೊಳಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಒಂದು ವಿಷಯ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ ಉಂಟುಮಾಡಿತು. ಕೇವಲ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯದ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗಿನ Poonjaji ಅವರ ಸಾನ್ನಿಧ್ಯ, ಅವರನ್ನು ಅಷ್ಟು ಆಳವಾದ ಅನುಭವಕ್ಕೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ದಿತು? Poonjaji ಅವರು ಮಿತಭಾಷಿಯೆಂದೇ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧರಾಗಿದ್ದರು—ಅವರು ಬಹುತೇಕ ಏನನ್ನೂ ಬೋಧಿಸಲು ನಿರಾಕರಿಸುವವರಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಹಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಶಾರೀರಿಕ ಅಥವಾ ವಾಚಿಕ ವಿಧಾನಗಳಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಅಷ್ಟು ಆಳವಾದ ಅನುಭವವು ಹೇಗೆ ಉಂಟಾಯಿತು?ಇದೇ ವಿಷಯ Sam ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವರ ತಾರ್ಕಿಕ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಬಳಿ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ.ಮನಸ್ಸು ಯಾವುದೇ ನೇರ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಂವಹನ ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲುದೇ? ಮತ್ತು ಅಂತಹ ಸಂವಹನವು ಆಷ್ಟು ಆಳವಾದ, ಪರಿವರ್ತನಾತ್ಮಕವಾದ, ಹಾಗೂ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಅನುಭವವಾಗುವಂತಿರಬಹುದೇ?ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ನ್ಯೂರೋಸೈನ್ಸ್ ಜ್ಞಾನದ ಹೊರತಾಗಿಯೂ Sam ಅವರಿಗಿದು ಪರಿಹರಿಸಲಾಗದ ಒಂದು ರಹಸ್ಯವಾಗಿಯೇ ಉಳಿಯಿತು.ಆದರೆ ಹೌದು, ಕೆಲವು ಸ್ಥಿತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಅಂತಹ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯಗಳಿರುವಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಅದು ಮಾತಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಂವಹನ ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲುದು—ಮನುಷ್ಯರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ, ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ಜೀವಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕೂಡ.ಒಂದು ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟ ಮನಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಹೋದಾಗ, ನಾಯಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ವಿಷಕಾರಿ ಹಾವುಗಳೂ ಕೂಡ,ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಶಾಂತವಾಗುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕಂಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ.ಇದು ಸತ್ಯವಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ, ಕೇವಲ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದಲೇ ಒಬ್ಬ ಆಕ್ರಮಣಕಾರಿ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಬದಲಾಯಿಸಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವೇ? ಹೌದಾದರೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸಂಘರ್ಷಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಯುದ್ಧಗಳು ಅಂತ್ಯಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತವೆ.1970 ಮತ್ತು 80ರ ದಶಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಗುರು Mahesh Yogi ಅವರು ಇದೇ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಅವರು ಧ್ಯಾನಿಗಳ ಒಂದು ಗುಂಪನ್ನು ಯುದ್ಧಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಿ ಭೀಕರ ಯುದ್ಧಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬಹುದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಈ ಧ್ಯಾನಿಗಳು ...
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  • [English] Never ride a tiger!

    [English] Never ride a tiger!
    Apr 11 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] You probably have seen people riding on a horse. May be, you have also heard of people riding a camel in the Arabian deserts. But riding a tiger? No way!But, strangely, many of us keep doing that. Though we rarely realize it. I am not talking about the fierce creature that rules the jungle. I am talking about an altogether different kind of a beast. I am using the word tiger, figuratively.There are many kinds of tigers, that people often ride on.Some ride on the tiger of supremacy. They want to tell the world that they are the super powers, and everyone has to bow down to them. They decide what is right and what is wrong for others. They dictate how others should behave.There are others, who ride on the tiger of power. They want to control everything. They always hold a whip to lash others who err. They take on the roles of moral policemen. They gather piles of weapons of mass destruction. But they make a hue and cry when someone else does that. They threaten others that they would decimate those who don't fall in line.History has seen that such people who ride on tigers of supremacy and power, always lived a life of fear, suspicion and betrayal.Some are content with riding the tigers of wealth. They go on amassing wealth with a never-ending zeal. More the wealth they accumulate, more their thirst for wealth. That allows them no time to dismount the tiger.But tigers are tigers, after all. You can manage to ride them. But there is no getting off their back. The moment you dismount, or even attempt to, they would pounce on you, and you are finished. Even if you manage to escape, there are other tigers, just waiting for a weakling.So, riding a tiger is never a safe option.Unfortunately, we have Gurus who coax their disciples to ride tigers of wealth, tigers of name and fame. They say that there is nothing wrong with amassing wealth. Austerity is an old fashioned virtue according to them – the kind that the he likes of Jesus or Buddha preached.People throng to such Gurus. That helps these people to justify their own tiger rides.But what happened to those Gurus who went on such rides? They were betrayed by their own close associates. They led a life of fear and suspicion, and finally got eliminated by their own trusted followers.That is what any tiger would do if you can't keep a hold on that.Look at the present scenario. The ones who ride the tiger of supremacy are giving moral lessons to others. And those who ride the tigers of absolute power, are giving sermons to others about peace. The ones who are riding tigers of mass destruction, want others to abandon arms and accept their dictate.Even at individual level, many of us make the mistake of riding tigers of relentless craze for wealth and luxuries.Why does one make this mistake of riding tigers?This is exactly the question that Indian warrior Arjuna asked Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.He asked :"Why do people indulge in wrong things, as if compelled to do so?"Krishna's simple answer was :"It is the excessive desire and hatred, that motivate one to make such mistakes. They are one's greatest enemies"Krishna compares these two, to smoke that masks the fire. Fire by itself is bright and luminous. But when covered with smoke, it loses its radiance.Similarly when a person comes under the influence of these two, their innate benign nature gets distorted.He says they are like the dirt that gets accumulated on a clean mirror. A clean mirror reflects whatever is in front of it. It shows things as they are.But when the same mirror is covered with dirt, it is incapable of displaying the same true nature of the person in front of it.Patanjali calls the same as raaga and dwesha. He says that these two are pre-wired in the minds of people. People often act wrongly, under their influence.Buddha also cautions against these two enemies and advises to keep them under control. An uncontrolled tiger is always dangerous.So did Jesus. He always preached simple living and being compassionate and understanding.That, is one of the root causes of wars, and conflicts that we see around. But what is the solution?As Krishna says:"One should control these tendencies with a strong will"That is easier said than done. Many of us have grown up with deeply ingrained mental makeup.As they say —- "An old dog cannot learn new tricks.". It is very difficult for grownups to change their mental tendencies. They tend to make mistakes, unknowingly, and sometimes knowingly.So, what is the solution?Our only hope is to bring up our children in such a way that they don't fall for such traps.Are we at least doing that ?That is the right time to mold their minds. That is time to plant good seeds so that they blossom into wonderful beings.Now, coming back to the solution to wars and conflicts, there is no use fire fighting when all the damage has already been done. History cannot be erased, nor the present can be changed to a large extent. We can only hope for a better ...
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  • [Spanish] Nunca montes un tigre!

    [Spanish] Nunca montes un tigre!
    Apr 11 2026
    [Quick links] [Pause] Probablemente has visto a personas montando a caballo. Quizá también hayas oído hablar de personas montando camellos en los desiertos árabes. Pero, ¿montar un tigre? ¡De ninguna manera!Pero, extrañamente, muchos de nosotros seguimos haciéndolo. Aunque rara vez nos damos cuenta. No estoy hablando de la feroz criatura que gobierna la selva. Estoy hablando de un tipo de bestia completamente diferente. Estoy usando la palabra tigre de manera figurada.Hay muchos tipos de tigres sobre los que la gente suele montar.Algunos montan el tigre de la supremacía. Quieren decirle al mundo que ellos son las superpotencias, y que todos deben inclinarse ante ellos. Deciden qué es correcto y qué es incorrecto para los demás. Dictan cómo deben comportarse los otros.Hay otros que montan el tigre del poder. Quieren controlarlo todo. Siempre sostienen un látigo para castigar a quienes se equivocan. Asumen el papel de policías morales. Acumulan montones de armas de destrucción masiva. Pero hacen un gran alboroto cuando alguien más hace lo mismo. Amenazan a otros con destruir a quienes no se alineen con ellos.La historia ha demostrado que tales personas que montan tigres de supremacía y poder, siempre han vivido una vida de miedo, sospecha y traición.Algunos se conforman con montar los tigres de la riqueza. Siguen acumulando riqueza con un afán interminable. Cuanta más riqueza acumulan, mayor es su sed de riqueza. Eso no les deja tiempo para bajarse del tigre.Pero los tigres son tigres, después de todo. Puedes lograr montarlos. Pero no hay forma de bajarse de su lomo. En el momento en que te bajas, o incluso lo intentas, se abalanzan sobre ti, y estás acabado. Incluso si logras escapar, hay otros tigres esperando a un débil.Así que montar un tigre nunca es una opción segura.Desafortunadamente, tenemos Gurús que incitan a sus discípulos a montar tigres de riqueza, tigres de nombre y fama. Dicen que no hay nada malo en acumular riqueza. La austeridad es una virtud pasada de moda según ellos, del tipo que predicaban figuras como Jesús o Buda.La gente acude en masa a esos Gurús. Eso les ayuda a justificar sus propios paseos en tigre.Pero, ¿qué les ocurrió a esos Gurús que emprendieron tales caminos? Fueron traicionados por sus propios colaboradores cercanos. Vivieron una vida de miedo y sospecha, y finalmente fueron eliminados por sus propios seguidores de confianza.Eso es lo que haría cualquier tigre si no puedes mantener el control sobre él.Observa el escenario actual. Aquellos que montan el tigre de la supremacía están dando lecciones morales a los demás. Y quienes montan los tigres del poder absoluto, predican a otros sobre la paz. Aquellos que montan tigres de destrucción masiva, quieren que otros abandonen las armas y acepten sus dictados.Incluso a nivel individual, muchos de nosotros cometemos el error de montar tigres de una obsesión incesante por la riqueza y los lujos.¿Por qué alguien comete este error de montar tigres?Esta es exactamente la pregunta que el guerrero indio Arjuna le hizo a Krishna en el Bhagavad Gita.Él preguntó:"¿Por qué las personas hacen cosas incorrectas, como si estuvieran obligadas a hacerlo?"La sencilla respuesta de Krishna fue:"Es el deseo excesivo y el odio los que motivan a uno a cometer tales errores. Son los mayores enemigos de uno"Krishna compara estos dos con el humo que oculta el fuego. El fuego por sí mismo es brillante y luminoso. Pero cuando está cubierto de humo, pierde su resplandor.De manera similar, cuando una persona cae bajo la influencia de estos dos, su naturaleza benigna innata se distorsiona.Dice que son como la suciedad que se acumula en un espejo limpio. Un espejo limpio refleja lo que tiene delante. Muestra las cosas tal como son.Pero cuando ese mismo espejo está cubierto de suciedad, es incapaz de mostrar la verdadera naturaleza de la persona que está frente a él.Patanjali llama a lo mismo raaga y dwesha. Dice que estos dos están preprogramados en la mente de las personas. Las personas a menudo actúan mal bajo su influencia.Buda también advierte contra estos dos enemigos y aconseja mantenerlos bajo control. Un tigre descontrolado siempre es peligroso.Así también lo hizo Jesús. Él siempre predicó una vida sencilla y ser compasivo y comprensivo.Eso es una de las causas fundamentales de las guerras y los conflictos que vemos a nuestro alrededor. Pero, ¿cuál es la solución?Como dice Krishna:"Uno debe controlar estas tendencias con una voluntad firme"Eso es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo. Muchos de nosotros hemos crecido con una estructura mental profundamente arraigada.Como se dice —- "Un perro viejo no puede aprender nuevos trucos." Es muy difícil para los adultos cambiar sus tendencias mentales. Tienden a cometer errores, a veces sin darse cuenta y a veces conscientemente.Entonces, ¿cuál es la solución?Nuestra única esperanza es educar a nuestros hijos de tal manera que no ...
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