Wisdom of the Sages
Raghunath Cappo & Kaustubha Das
Truths about life from the timeless wisdom of the Bhakti-yoga tradition - fun, relevant, and deep. Learn about dharma, yoga, bhakti, and how it relates to all the basic questions of life. This show is about how to live your best life, let go of the external distractions, and uncover the spiritual happiness that lies within the heart as the true nature of the soul.
Raghunath and Kaustubha's connection goes back to their teens in the New York Hardcore Punk Scene of the early 80s, through serving together as Bhakti-yogi monks in the 90's, to sharing their experiences in the world of yoga in the 21st century.
Raghunath and Kaustubha's connection goes back to their teens in the New York Hardcore Punk Scene of the early 80s, through serving together as Bhakti-yogi monks in the 90's, to sharing their experiences in the world of yoga in the 21st century.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 21, 2020 • 59min
184: Caste System & Cows - Making Sense of the Vedic Tradition
Krishna multiplies and adapts to reciprocate with everyone's love / the Earth feels separation from Krishna / what it means to be twice born / in the age of Kali a system of service to others (Varnashrama-dharma) gets warped into a system of oppression (the caste system) / meat-based, industrialized model of existence vs one of cooperation between humans & animals / meat-based industry has led us to climate change, ecological destruction & a culture of violence / cow & bull protection provides all of societies' needs in a pure & simple way SB 1.16.34 - 1.17.9
Jul 20, 2020 • 59min
183: Yoga-māyā – the Energy of Union
dharma brings genuine happiness / spiritual life for today - not just the afterlife / make every place a holy place with spiritual sound / man-made planning doesn't enhance the beauty & opulence of the world - reconnecting it to it's source does / the marks on Krishna's feet / the 4 nutshell verses of Srimad Bhagavatam / yoga-māyā, the energy of union vs mahā-māyā, energy seen as detached from it's source / dovetailing everything in relationship with God SB 1.16.24 - 1.16.33
Jul 19, 2020 • 1h 8min
182: Interview with Mike D. and Eddie Stern / Vrindavan, Bhakti & the Broome St. Temple
memories of the New York Hardcore scene / Raghu & Mike's special moment on stage / Beastie Boys see Raghu's Tai chi practice? / finding the hard to find - Broome Street Temple / Mike finds yoga with Eddie / Mike's first trip to Vrindavan / Eddie's first trip to Vrindavan / Shyam Das - bhakti scholar / Mike's bhakti practice / beautiful times at the Broome St. Temple / Mike doesn't remember the special moment :-)
Jul 18, 2020 • 1h 19min
181: Questions & Answers – Volume 18
shouldn't there be a more efficient method for spiritual advancement than suffering? / how to avoid getting overwhelmed with the harsh realities of this material world? / when to be passive & when to be active / how do you stop comparing yourself to others and bring yourself to the present moment ? / I'm getting lost in the stories and characters - is there a recommended order for what books to read / how to fall in love with Krishna? / who are the mayavadis?
Jul 17, 2020 • 59min
180: Spiritual Context for Religious Rules
for lifetimes we've been programmed by Illusion / more from Vamanadeva on being satisfied simply / the 4 legs of Dharma - austerity, purity, compassion & truthfulness / initiation into a Bhakti lineage / vows of vegetarianism, continence, sobriety & honesty / yoga teachings provide spiritual context for religious rules / liberation is the last snare of illusion / Bhagavatam puts liberation in perspective by comparing them with both material anxiety & divine love SB 1.16.21 - 1.16.23
Jul 16, 2020 • 52min
179: Parallels Between Native American & Yoga Wisdom Cultures
why is the Earth suffering? / because dharma is barely standing on one leg? / because she's being exploited?/ the unspeakable cruelty of factory farming / recognizing higher beings behind nature / Black Elk speaks - the great spirit within & without - peace first within & then without / Sitting Bull speaks - if America was twice as big, it would still not be enough / Sri Vamandeva speaks - for uncontrolled senses, there is never enough / spiritual context for "religious" restraint SB 1.16.20
Jul 15, 2020 • 58min
178: Lacking a Wisdom Culture, America has Lost It's Morale
with "mystic eyes" Maharaja Pariksit witnesses the conversation between Dharma & the Earth / simple principle: when dharma and the Earth are respected people live happily / the qualities of brahminical culture - even-mindedness, self-control, simple living, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness / lacking a wisdom culture, America has lost it's morale SB 1.16.17 - 1.16.19
Jul 14, 2020 • 54min
177: God Bends According to the Love of the Devotee
our disconnect has us pleading for validation / dharma personified as an injured bull speaks to the Earth personified as a suffering cow / Kali appears, the personification of corrupt leadership / Maharaja Pariksit sees the dialog with mystical vision / out of love, the devotee bends to the will of God and God bends to the will of the devotee / the supreme brahman is crawling in Nanda Maharaja's courtyard like a helpless child SB 1.16.1 - 1.16.16
Jul 13, 2020 • 56min
176: Wisdom Relieves the Burning Heart
positive meditation with a devotional attitude / fixing the intelligence on transcendence / flying your own airplane / higher than worshiping Shiva's instructions to Parvati on the highest worship / smarana (remembrance of or meditation on) wisdom brings relief to the burning heart SB 1.15.47 - 1.15.51
Jul 12, 2020 • 1h 10min
175: Expressing Prayer Through Movement / Interview with Komala Kumari
the origins of Bharatanatyam Dance / Bharata Muni & the Natya Shastras / bha = bhava (feelings, emotions), ra = raga (melody, framework for musical notes), ta = tala (rhythm) / rigidity vs feeling / beginning dance at the age of 3 / the handing down of sacred tradition from teacher to student / leading the audience to bhava / expressing prayer through movement / method acting in the context of India's classic texts of Bhakti / Srimad Bhagavatam is alive - it is Krishna
