The Philosophy of Now

In this week's Consistent Contemplation, we explore the practice of writing. Yes - literally writing with a physical pen and notepad or journal. We often disregard the act of sitting in our full presence and writing down our observations, reflections, and thoughts. This may be out of the bustle of doing it for daily tasks, fear, or even laziness, but the act itself is freeing. Let's find out how together!We begin the episode by sharing a few insights from previous video episodes we have been releasing. Thereafter, we explore the value of recognizing our presence by engaging in a guided practice within the nature and environment around us. Stay tuned, as throughout the summer, we have been releasing previous episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePhilosophyofNow. Join us, as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Consistent Contemplation, we explore the meaning of the word, 'Essence'. We use that word lightly to mean so many things, but by definition, it allows us to consider something's nature. This episode is an inspired practice from the last few episodes. In fact, it is an extrapolation of our LIVE event with Swami Sarvapriyananda! Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJBgUmYk1csBefore we begin a new season, we bring to you our reflections and a practice from the previous season of guests. We begin by highlighting the event and learnings from that discussion. Secondly, we discuss our thoughts on the 'essence of things' and how this attachment can often cause our anxiety. We do a practice together exploring the nature of things in front of us - literally. We conclude the episode by previewing the summer! Join us as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we present to you a special recording of our first LIVE event! This is the second part of two.Check out the FULL Episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJBgUmYk1csSubscribe to the podcast HERE: https://lnk.to/thephilosophyofnow-swami-sarvapriyanandaIn Midtown Manhattan on June 5th, we had as our guest the incredible Swami Sarvapriyananda. Along with an interview, we led a reflection practice with our in-person and stream audience!Enjoy, reflect, and contemplate with this episode - Part 2 of 2. In this part, we present to you the guided meditation & Q&A led by Swamiji himself. At the beginning of the event, he led us in a 10-min meditation as we contemplated the notion of limited and unlimited Self. Following that, he engaged some amazing questions from the in-person audience and offered his insights. He provided guidance on improving our daily inquiry and contemplative practice NOW!Swamiji is a monk in the Ramakrishna Order and the head monk of the Vedanta Society of NY, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to this, he served at the Hollywood mission and in India at the Belur Math. He is recognized internationally as one of the most prominent teachers and philosophers of Vedanta, particularly as it engages with modern science, psychology, and consciousness studies. In fact, his two recent books ‘Mahavakya: Essence of Vedanta’ & ‘Fullness & Emptiness’ are explications of his profound teachings. They are written evidence of his ability to teach these seemingly esoteric concepts with ease, depth, and reliability to any seeker in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we present to you a special recording of our first LIVE event! This is the first part of two.Check out the LIVE Stream here: https://youtube.com/live/CFWd-587SI4?feature=shareIn Midtown Manhattan on June 5th, we had as our guest the incredible Swami Sarvapriyananda. Along with an interview, we led a reflection practice with our in-person and stream audience!Swamiji is a monk in the Ramakrishna Order and the head monk of the Vedanta Society of NY, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to this, he served at the Hollywood mission and in India at the Belur Math. He is recognized internationally as one of the most prominent teachers and philosophers of Vedanta, particularly as it engages with modern science, psychology, and consciousness studies. In fact, his two recent books ‘Mahavakya: Essence of Vedanta’ & ‘Fullness & Emptiness’ are explications of his profound teachings. They are written evidence of his ability to teach these seemingly esoteric concepts with ease, depth, and reliability to any seeker in the world.Enjoy, reflect, and contemplate with this episode - Part 1 of 2. In this part, we present to you the interview. He discussed the importance of finding a tradition as our philosophy of life, but also being malleable to consider other schools. He emphasized how 'fake it till you make it' is a very practical step in imbibing unselfishness and an expansive Self. Along with noting philosophical principles from Vedanta & modern psychology, he provided insight on improving our daily inquiry and contemplative practice NOW! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Consistent Contemplation episode, we explore the range of episodes of the last few weeks. From understanding our intuition and gut feeling to recognizing the heart's desire for service, these episodes truly enhanced our spiritual journeys.Today, in our guided practice and reflection, we explore how we often orient service to the outside world before recognizing ourselves. Secondly, we discuss how the exercise of being fully present and aware can also be a form of service to nature and our communities. It not only affirms our own wellbeing, but takes away the perception of 'other.' Join us as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does taking care of our mental health and wellbeing feel selfish? Why do we feel guilty, as youth, when we take care of ourselves?Nikhil Taneja, co-founder of Yuvaa, a media organization spreading mental health awareness amongst youth in India, explains how taking care of ourselves is SELFLESS.During this mental health pandemic, it was important to REVISIT this episode. How can we remain spiritually aware, and conscious of serving those around us? Nikhil speaks on his work in Bollywood, YashRaj Films with Karan Johar and how he burned out rising to the top so young! This realization helped him serve youth like him focus on mental health and progressive issues.Listen and learn AGAIN from Nikhil Taneja's Philosophy of Now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Stanford University to the Himalayas. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with a premier personality who brings thousands towards a spiritual lifestyle. Sadhviji Bhagawati Saraswati, PhD is the guest on our latest episode! She is the leader of the largest ashram and retreat center in Hrishikesh (the foothils of the Himalayas: Parmarth Niketan. She also does tremendous non-profit work through the her foundation, Divine Shakti Foundation - an organization that provides wellbeing for women, their children, and abandoned children.Recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by former President Joe Biden for her years of service and volunteering, Sadhviji has spent years teaching and mastering Yoga as a wellness tradition. As Director of the International Yoga Festival, she leads an initiative to take these practices across the world to create habits of healing. From her water preservation to hygiene initiatives, Sadhviji has made it a point to make spirituality the foundation for individual and community transformation.In this episode, she speaks about her own experiences in the Himalayas, Western approaches to Yoga, and being a white Yoga leader. Join us and engage critically with this conversation, as the guest discusses their Philosophy of NOW!Check out Sadhviji's latest book, Come Home To Yourself, in which she provides simple, practical steps to the hurdles of life through the lens of Yoga and spirituality! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to "go with your gut?" We hear that phrase often - but when do we know what is that gut feeling - our inner voice?Dayal Gauranga, a former monk and renowned wellness and therapy coach, guides us through these questions. He helps us look within and learn to trust ourselves.As a practitioner of Bhakti and Kirtan music, Dayal dives into his relationship with God and how we can learn to see the signs of divinity in our daily lives. For him, it's music and devotion that guide him.This is vulnerable conversation - we go with the flow, and let the seeking guide us in understanding Dayal's Philosophy of Now. Listen, learn and meditate with us NOW. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Consistent Contemplation episode, we explore the range of episodes of the last few weeks. From understanding the teachings of suffering for our spiritual practices to the need for service to embracing the "Mamba Mentality," these episodes truly enhanced our spiritual journeys. In our guided meditation, we explore the idea of how insignificant we may feel in front of the universe and yet truly one with it all. It's the practice of 'Not This, Not This' detailed in Vedanta philosophy. Join us as we reflect and meditate together in this sanctuary! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Kobe Bryant truly dive into the clutch moments of a game through mamba mentality? How did Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls focus as winners like Zen masters?Well, there was a secret weapon behind it all - George Mumford. George is a psychologist and mindfulness coach who has worked closely alongside Phil Jackson's Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and other Olympic athletes to help them focus, and meditate as athletes.He also was Kobe Bryant's mindfulness coach.He's been the mindfulness coach for Stanley Cup-winning hockey teams and NBA champions throughout his career! Mumford is the author of books like, 'The Mindful Athlete.'In our conversation today, George talks about his amazing Kobe stories, close experiences and what he learned from champions like Michael Jordan and his time living as Julius Erving's college roommate. George also talks about what it takes to be a clutch, focused and ever-present athlete. He teaches us how we can be in the NOW and remain calm and composed in our daily lives. In essence, what it takes to garner mamba mentality in our daily hurdles.Listen to George's journey, fun stories with athletes and of course his life philosophy for us all to meditate on TOGETHER. Join us in this conversation to seek and learn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we revisit an episode from a previous season. In The Philosophy of Now sanctuary, we believe in revisiting conversations that can help us reflect and think more deeply when we take another look. Sometimes revisiting ourselves or the conversation itself can help us grow for our present moment. This Rama Navmi, birth celebration and holiday of Lord Rama, and Hanuman Jayanti, Lord Hanuman, seemed the right time for to revisit this deep conversation. Hanuman Dass, the founder of Go Dharmic, a nonprofit helping the underrepresented and underserved communities across the globe on the basis of devotion and bhakti, speaks to us about the beauty of service. He dissects the Bhagavad Gita for us and how to bring Indian philosophy and Hinduism into a practical level. How can our jobs and mundane lives be spiritualized? How can we bring spirituality and bhakti into our daily practices?Dass has also worked alongside Virat Kohli and Krishna Das! Check out the conversation again - and reflect with us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can suffering actually be a gem - a silver lining? How can suffering actually become our guiding light on our spiritual journeys?My guest today helps us understand the value and importance of suffering through the Tibetan Buddhist lens. Lopön Chandra Easton is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher, scholar and author. She is the Vajra Teacher at the Tara Mandala Retreat Center and professor at the USCB Religions Department.Chandra Easton opens up about her own spiritual journey - rediscovering herself through personal hurdles. She dissects the law of karma for us and explains the hurdles in our karmic cycle, through the Buddhist lens. We try to understand how difficulties are alway blessings!She also explains the intersection of Tantra and Buddhism. How can we awaken the divine energy within us through mantras? And how does Deity and God worship work within us? She breaks down the beauty of Goddess Tara.This is a vulnerable letter from a Buddhist practitioner to the world! It's a guiding light that we can all meditate on together, to gain our life philosophy NOW! Listen, learn and grow with us as seekers.Check out Chandra's work:Foundations of Nondual Buddhist TantraA Yearlong Study and Practice program begins May 14th (online)Embodying Tara: The Divine Feminine To Power Your Compassion, Intuition, And JoyWeekend Workshops With Chandra Easton, Bob Thurman, Nina Rao, And The THUS Vajra Yoga (™) Team (hybrid)Presale of 21 Taras Collective Mantra Mala Album Vol. 1With Chandra Easton, Nina Rao, and Genevieve WalkerWeekly Class: Releasing Into Presence: Mantra, Meditation, and Movement @ Berkeley AlembicTuesdays, 7-830pm PT (hybrid) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our second consistent contemplation episode, we bring you with us in this sanctuary. This sanctuary is an opportunity for us to come together a community and reflect on ourselves and the previous episodes we've heard.We kick it off with a guided meditation to inquire into the self, and the fluctuating nature of thoughts. We reflect on the teachings of Dr. Edwin Bryant and Spring Washam, our previous guests.Join us to journal, reflect and contemplate TOGETHER. This is our repetition, our japa - to dive deeper into our spiritual journeys! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we tap into our ancestors' consciousness - their spirit, their energy? We live in such polarizing and volatile times. How can we learn to be present and yet learn from the past?Our guest today, Spring Washam, guides us on this journey to self-discovery and ancestral wisdom. She is a meditation teacher, Dharma teacher, and author of books like, 'The Spirit of Harriet Tubman.' Spring breaks down her own journey into spirituality when she learned to embrace the suffering of her past experiences.Spring explains how we can access Harriet Tubman's spirit and philosophy to tackle our hurdles and trauma today. Spring opens up about America in 2025 and the political turmoil in Trump's presidency and the uncertainty we live in geopolitically. She explains how we can learn from the saintliness of Harriet Tubman and our ancestors to dive into the spirit of the present moment - the NOW.We dive deeply into worship, self-care and commence with a Metta-based GUIDED MEDITATION! This episode is filled with love, meditation, guidance and clarity on living our ancestors' dreams TODAY.Let's meditate, listen and learn together about Spring Washam's philosophy of NOW. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we understand what it means to be devotional in religion or spirituality? What is the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita?In Part 2 of this deep and philosophical conversation with Dr. Edwin Bryant, we understand what bhakti or devotion to God means. The bestselling author of books like 'The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,' and Hinduism professor at Rutgers University helps us follow the journey of the saints and sages of ancient India.How do we practice bhakti in our day to daily lives? Dr. Bryant dissects that for us. At the core, Dr. Bryant concludes with explaining the importance of surrender. After exhausting our intellect, seekers must surrender to something Higher and build a devotional relationship and commitment to that ideal.Dr. Bryant speaks on his own current journey, finding bliss in teaching and simplicity as a renunciate. Let's discover our own true selves and life mantras through this final part. This is a deeply moving and transformative conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does karma work? What is yoga? What is the nature of bhakti? What does it mean to surrender to our destiny? Is there free will?All of these existential questions are truly important on our seeking and spiritual journeys. Dr. Edwin Bryant, the yoga master, bestselling author and professor at Rutgers University guides us through them all.Dr. Bryant is the author of bestselling books like The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Bhakti Yoga. If you've ever been to a yoga studio, I am sure you will find a the copy of his translation and analysis of the scriptures and ancient texts. His deep research and ability to honor the scholarly traditions of ancient India are honorable. He has taught Hindu Philosophy at Harvard University, and teaches Hinduism, Yoga Philosophy and Krishna Bhakti at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ.We dive into the depths of his spiritual journey and how he believes God helped him land in the land of Krishna. He talks about developing deep bhakti or devotion to God, and an analysis of yoga and Hinduism. Because Dr. Bryant is filled with SO MUCH knowledge, we had to split his episode into 2 parts. The first half we are easing into DISCOVERING devotion. Next week, we will dive into it with him.To start off, let's understand the heart of a Bhakti Yogi and his philosophy of NOW. Join us as we listen, meditate and learn TOGETHER. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every three to four episodes, we will take a time to reflect together. We will talk about the most recent episodes, some thoughts of insight and ideas to reflect on internally. The Philosophy of Now is a sanctuary for us all to be present and meditate upon the conversations we've listened to and how we wish to develop and apply them in our own lives.Join us on our first Consistent Contemplation session! Journal, meditate and reflect with us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the nature of true love? Why does our love for even family and friends sometimes feel selfless? How do we tap into the that spiritual love - bhakti?Jai Uttal, the Grammy-nominated and renowned musician, kirtan artist and spiritual guide, breaks out all down for us. He speaks about his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, meeting Ram Dass and how stumbled upon this spiritual journey. He dissects what it means to deeply love your guru, loved one or God. Jai opens up about the inner revelations through music and chanting mantras, and how he discovered a mystical layer of himself through the practice. We chat about the lessons from the epics like Ramayana and great teachers like Swami Vivekenanda.At the core, Jai tells us this higher lover and bliss isn't far from us - he explains how we can experience it NOW. Listen, meditate and come with us on this journey of Jai Uttal's philosophy of now!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephilosophyofnow/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can films and art change the world? How do we find purpose through our art? Why do some films stick with us, and transform us?Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is back on The Philosophy of Now! The National Award-winning renowned filmmaker sits down with us to discuss his creative process and life philosophy.We dissect some of his films by looking at them at a philosophical level. How did Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti speak to the youth of today? What is the importance of looking within like he does often in his films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag?Mehra also dives into the importance of art transforming the individual spiritually. He doesn't shy away from telling us that being in the unknown in life is beautiful in itself. The master filmmaker tells us we need to embrace the simplicity in life and love the light and darkness.This is a vulnerable conversation with a masterful creative. He also talks about his next pan-Indian Bollywood movie diving into the Mahabharata! Check out the full episode NOW! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back! In our first episode of the new season, we speak with Nina Rao. The acclaimed kirtan artist and spiritual guide talks to us about the importance of practice.Practice, we talkin about practice?! The reality is - without it, we don't become true seekers on our paths towards self development ans true inner peace. Nina Rao talks about destiny - how she found her path and guru.She dives into the spiritual wisdom and science behind mantras. She reminds us we can also be Hanuman, if we learn to trust the process!In our first episode, we cherish her philosophy of NOW - her wisdom, insight and guidance for us all.Let's kick of this season with an amazing conversation in our sanctuary. Let's meditate, listen and learn TOGETHER. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.