Redesigning the Dharma

Episode 31 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Sunisa Manning, Heart Sangha’s guiding teacher.

Sunisa was born and raised in Bangkok in a Theravada Buddhist family with additional Mahayana influence through her Chinese-born grandparents and her mother’s devotion to Guanyin. After an intellectually rebellious college period at Brown, she encountered Tibetan Buddhism at 20, found it more expansive for her as a woman, and later became a student of Anam Thubten in the Nyingma school, eventually being ordained and carrying the Dudjom Lingpa lineage while teaching Chöd.

She describes Vajrayana’s transformative work with afflictive emotions, the purpose of Ngöndro as preparation, and Chöd as Machig Labdrön’s practice of cutting through self via radical generosity and purification; she also teaches a modified “Chöd Healing” ceremony. They discuss adapting lineage practices in the West, obstacles like religious trauma and commitment, cultural differences around generosity, her experience teaching in Thai to women moved by seeing a female teacher, and the need to support young people with contemplative training.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
• 01:28 Growing Up Buddhist Thailand
• 05:39 Gender Monastic Limits
• 11:31 What Is Chöd Practice
• 17:09 The Importance of Lineage Versus Open Source
• 19:20 Why Commitment Is Essential In Spiritual Practice
• 23:27 Preparing The Vessel & Teaching Meditation Stamina
• 27:43 Common Student Obstacles
• 31:32 Thailand vs US Dharma Culture
• 35:56 Teaching in Thailand as a Woman
• 45:06 How A Contemplative Practice Can Help The Next Generation
• 46:29 Where to Find Heart Sangha Offerings

Guest Bio:

Sunisa Manning is the founder and teacher of Heart Sangha. She was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, into a Theravada Buddhist family. When she was in college she found Tibetan Buddhism.

Sunisa lived in the Bay Area, practicing and studying the dharma under her teacher Anam Thubten. In 2024 Sunisa was ordained by Anam Thubten in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. She carries the Dudjom lineage, and teaches Chod in English at Heart Sangha, and to Thai students in partnership with Vichak Panich of Vajrasiddha. The Thai group is called Sangha Chod.

As a married mother to two young boys, Sunisa speaks from her experience as a householder and mom.

HEART SANGHA’S WEBSITE

SUNISA MANNING’S WEBSITE

SUNISA MANNING ON INSTAGRAM

DHARMA BITES SUBSTACK

In Episode 30 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma, Adrian Baker continues his conversation with Zen priest and Dzogchen practitioner, Kokyo Henkel. They discuss how he balances Zen and Dzogchen practices on a day-to-day basis—keeping ritual practices separate, and dive into his current hermitage life, his upcoming book, and the differences between between group and solitary retreat. This episode presents concrete advice onscheduling, exercise, reading/chanting, boundaries, weekly retreat days, and modern challenges like phone distraction and reintegration.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
• 01:33 Balancing Zen and Dzogchen Practices
• 07:25 Life After Monastery + Daily Schedule at Hermitage
• 11:06 Month Long Solo Retreats
• 14:12 Group Retreat Social Dynamics
• 18:43 Advice for Self Retreats
• 25:33 Reintegration After Retreat
• 29:01 Digital Detox and Phones
• 30:22 Offerings and Closing

Guest Bio:

Kokyo Henkel has dedicated his life to Buddhist practice since 1990. He spent nearly two decades in monastic training, living at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm, and No Abode Hermitage in the Sōtō Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. He also spent a full year studying in Japan at Bukokuji Monastery under Tangen Harada Roshi. Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi ordained Henkel as a Zen priest in nineteen ninety-four and gave him Dharma transmission in twenty ten, making him the ninety-second generation lineage holder. From 2010 - 2020, Henkel served as the guiding teacher at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Beyond his roots in Zen, Henkel integrates Tibetan Vajrayana and Dzogchen traditions into his path. He has studied with masters like Tsoknyi Rinpoche since two thousand and three and completed his foundational Ngöndro practices in twenty twenty. Today, Henkel focuses on applying ancient teachings from India, China, and Japan to modern life. He lives with his wife at Bright Window Hermitage, a retreat space in California's Santa Lucia Mountains for practitioners of all traditions.

KOKYO HENKEL’S WEBSITE

BRIGHT WINDOW HERMITAGE

SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER

GREEN GULCH FARM SESSHINS

In Episode 29 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma, Adrian Baker interviews Zen priest and Dzogchen practitioner Kokyo Henkel on his decades of Sōtō Zen training, ordination and dharma transmission, study with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and current retreat life at Bright Window Hermitage. In this conversation, Henkel recounts discovering Zen at Brown University, joining practice groups, and moving to Tassajara and Green Gulch, where short-term residency became nearly two decades of monastic-style life. They discuss differences between monastic and householder practice, Japanese versus Chinese/Korean monasticism, and how Japan shifted to bodhisattva-only precepts and married priesthood. Henkel describes being drawn to Dzogchen for its clear articulation of non-dual awareness and explains Ngöndro’s structure, purpose, and benefits when undertaken after gaining Dzogchen “pointing out.”

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Kokyo Henkel
• 01:35 Discovering Zen at Brown
• 06:54 Monastic Life vs Householder Practice
• 09:59 Japan Zen History
• 13:24 Finding Dzogchen and Tsoknyi Rinpoche
• 19:32 Zen vs Dzogchen Teaching Styles
• 25:39 What is Ngondro and What Are The Benefits?
• 32:37 Conclusion and Intro to Part Two

Guest Bio:

Kokyo Henkel has dedicated his life to Buddhist practice since 1990. He spent nearly two decades in monastic training, living at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm, and No Abode Hermitage in the Sōtō Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. He also spent a full year studying in Japan at Bukokuji Monastery under Tangen Harada Roshi. Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi ordained Henkel as a Zen priest in nineteen ninety-four and gave him Dharma transmission in twenty ten, making him the ninety-second generation lineage holder. From 2010 - 2020, Henkel served as the guiding teacher at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.

Beyond his roots in Zen, Henkel integrates Tibetan Vajrayana and Dzogchen traditions into his path. He has studied with masters like Tsoknyi Rinpoche since two thousand and three and completed his foundational Ngöndro practices in twenty twenty. Today, Henkel focuses on applying ancient teachings from India, China, and Japan to modern life. He lives with his wife at Bright Window Hermitage, a retreat space in California's Santa Lucia Mountains for practitioners of all traditions.

KOKYO HENKEL’S WEBSITE

BRIGHT WINDOW HERMITAGE

SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER

GREEN GULCH FARM SESSHINS

In Episode 28 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma, Adrian Baker interviews Buddhist meditation teacher Scott Tusa about spiritual materialism and Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s Fully Being teachings.

Tusa describes spiritual materialism as using spiritual practice to bolster ego-clinging, noting it can appear in obvious cultural trends and in subtle fixations on beliefs, identities, and “getting rid of” suffering; he recommends tools like mindfulness, hope-and-fear awareness, and curiosity.

He outlines Fully Being’s core somatic practices—dropping, vase breathing, and handshaking—developed to address modern disconnection between thinking and the “feeling world,” and explains how they relate to Mahamudra-style letting-be and support deeper Vajrayana practice as “ngöndro before ngöndro.”

The conversation covers subtle body theory (tsa, lung, tigle), modern “speediness,” anxiety and lung disorder, essence love as basic okayness, and parallels with plant-medicine experiences, emphasizing meeting feelings compassionately rather than reinforcing stories.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Scott Tusa
• 01:34 What Is Spiritual Materialism?
• 11:26 What Is Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Fully Being?
• 18:29 Subtle Body and Speediness
• 26:42 Tibetan Subtle Body Basics and Fully Being Practices
• 32:46 Drop the Story Your Experience
• 39:37 What is Essence Love?
• 47:14 Nonduality Without Bypass
• 49:50 Wrap Up and Offerings

Guest Bio:

Scott Tusa is a Buddhist meditation teacher and practitioner who has spent the last 25 years exploring how to embody and live meaningfully through the Buddhist path.At age sixteen, his mother's death sparked a deep longing for healing and spiritual wisdom that eventually led him to Tibetan Buddhism. He spent my early twenties seeking out and learning from a variety of Tibetan Buddhist masters, and was ordained by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as a Buddhist monk at age twenty-eight. He spent the next nine years as a monk, deepening his understanding of the Dharma, engaging in solitary meditation retreats, and continuing his studies with teachers in India, Nepal, and the United States, including his main teachers Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Since 2008, he has been teaching Buddhist meditation in group and one-to-one settings in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and online, bringing Buddhist wisdom to modern meditators, helping them to deepen and develop more confidence in their practice.

SCOTT TUSA’S WEBSITE

FULLY BEING WEBSITE

TSOKNYI RINPOCHE’S WEBSITE

CONNECT WITH SCOTT ON SOCIAL

Episode 27 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Ian Baker, an experienced scholar, explorer, and author specializing in Vajrayana Buddhism. They discuss Dr. Baker's transformative journey into pilgrimage, beginning with his initial exposure to Asian culture and Tibetan Buddhism during college.

The conversation delves into the significance of pilgrimage in spiritual practice, including the concepts of outer, inner, and secret pilgrimage in the Tibetan tradition. Dr. Baker shares insights from his extensive experiences leading pilgrimages to sacred sites across the Himalayas, Bhutan, India, and beyond. They also explore contemporary pilgrimages, blending traditional practices with modern exploration, and the importance of cultivating a pilgrim’s mindset.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ian Baker
• 05:43 The Hidden Lands and Spiritual Practices
• 08:48 Integrating Stillness and Movement
• 15:38 The Concept of Outer, Inner, and Secret Pilgrimage
• 26:50 Embracing Discomfort and Exploration
• 32:42 The Hero's Journey and Ego Death
• 34:14 Psychedelics, Religious Traditions, and Cultural Exchange On The Silk Road
• 47:53 Pilgrim's Mindset vs. Tourist Mindset
• 51:32 Mongolia vs Bhutan vs India & Upcoming Offerings

Guest Bio:

Designated by the National Geographic Society as one of 7 “Explorers for the Millennium,” Ian Baker is an anthropologist, historian and author of multiple books on Tibetan and Himalayan art, culture and environment including The Heart of the World: A Journey to the Last Secret Place, Celestial Gallery, The Tibetan of Art of Healing, and The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple, a collaborative work with His Holiness The Dalai Lama that illuminates Tantric Buddhist meditation practices.

He completed graduate work at the University of Oxford and received his PhD after extensive fieldwork in Myanmar among contemporary practitioners of Buddhist alchemy. He subsequently worked with tantric Buddhist adepts in Bhutan, leading to his critically acclaimed book, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices.

Ian is an executive board member of Himalayan Consensus Institute and serves internationally as a consultant and lecturer in environmental and cultural heritage conservation. From 2011 until 2016 he collaborated with London’s Wellcome Trust, curating an exhibition of Himalayan art entitled ‘Tibet’s Secret Temple: Body, Mind and Meditation in Tantric Buddhism’ to which he also contributed texts, photography, and film.

Ian leads pilgrimages and scheduled travel seminars in India, Tibet, and Bhutan with The Vajra Path, Caravanza, and on his own. He has also designed and conducted academic travel programs in Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal for Smithsonian Institution, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and National Geographic Society. Through the Hidden Lands Trust, he works actively to preserve indigenous cultures and ecosystems in the eastern Himalayas, based on local models of environmental conservation that ensure sustained benefit to local communities.

DR. IAN BAKER’S WEBSITE

EXPLORE INNER AND OUTER JOURNEYS WITH THE VAJRA PATH

ART PILGRIMAGES WITH CARAVANSA

CONNECT WITH IAN ON SOCIAL

REACH OUT VIA EMAIL

Episode 26 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Scott Tusa, a Buddhist meditation teacher and former monk with 23 years of experience. They discuss Scott's journey from encountering Buddhism at age 19, to living as a Buddhist monk ordained by the 14th Dalai Lama, and later returning to householder life. Scott shares insights from his experiences, including the importance of integrating personal practice with teaching, and practical advice on navigating challenges with social media and modern life. They explore different Buddhist traditions and techniques for dealing with like and dislike, craving, and the importance of maintaining equanimity. Scott emphasizes the importance of continual self-honesty, the guidance of experienced teachers, and the role of somatic awareness in deepening one's practice. The episode ends with an overview of Scott’s meditation and buddhism mentoring offerings as well as a sneak peek at some of his courses on lojong (mind training) and mindful parenting.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Scott Tusa
• 01:57 Early Encounters with Buddhism & Journey to Monastic Life
• 09:05 Challenges and Reflections on Monasticism
• 19:46 Dharma and Awakening for Modern Practitioners
• 34:12 Exploring Equanimity and Understanding Preferences and Boundaries
• 46:59 Navigating Social Media and Modern
• 54:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Offerings

Guest Bio:

Scott Tusa is a Buddhist meditation teacher and practitioner who has spent the last 25 years exploring how to embody and live meaningfully through the Buddhist path.

At age sixteen, his mother's death sparked a deep longing for healing and spiritual wisdom that eventually led him to Tibetan Buddhism. He spent my early twenties seeking out and learning from a variety of Tibetan Buddhist masters, and was ordained by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as a Buddhist monk at age twenty-eight.

He spent the next nine years as a monk, deepening his understanding of the Dharma, engaging in solitary meditation retreats, and continuing his studies with teachers in India, Nepal, and the United States, including his main teachers Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

Since 2008, he has been teaching Buddhist meditation in group and one-to-one settings in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and online, bringing Buddhist wisdom to modern meditators, helping them to deepen and develop more confidence in their practice.

SCOTT TUSA’S WEBSITE

MINDFUL PARENTING COURSE

LOJONG COURSE ON TRICYCLE

CONNECT WITH SCOTT ON SOCIAL

Episode 25 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Brazilian artist, Tiffani Gyatso, about her life and work in Tibetan Buddhist Thangka painting. Tiffani begins by sharing her fascinating journey, from her upbringing in a spiritual community in Brazil to her studies in sacred art and geometry. They discuss her studies at the Gandan Monastery in Mongolia and the Norbulingka Institute in India, as well as her contemporary art practices and sacred pilgrimages. The conversation delves into themes of spiritual anatomy, the power of imagination, and the intersection of art and spirituality. Tiffani also discusses her art retreats at Atelier YabYum in Brazil, her global pilgrimages, and the importance of embracing both duality and non-duality in spiritual practice.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Tiffany Gyatso
• 04:56 Discovering & Training In Traditional Tibetan Thangka Art
• 12:59 Expanding With Sacred Art and Geometry
• 22:58 How Art Transforms Perception And Helps Open Consciousness
• 34:45 The Power of Imagination And The Erotic in Buddhism
• 41:31 Duality In Life, Art, and Buddhism
• 49:50 How To Balance Conceptual and Experiential Learning
• 58:30 The Value of Pilgrimage and Upcoming Offerings

Guest Bio:

Tiffani Gyatso is a Brazilian artist born in 1981. She studied graphic design in Munich, Germany and later specialized in Thangka Painting (Tibetan Buddhist Art). She was introduced to sacred arts at the Gandam monastery in Mongolia and completed her studies at the Norbulingka Institute, in India (2003-06). In 2016/17/19 she enrolled in several courses in sacred geometry and Islamic patterns at the Prince School (PSTA) in London, UK.

From 2007 to 2012 she undertook the large-scale project to paint a complete Tibetan temple (CEBB) in traditional form in south of Brazil. She teaches Thangka painting since 2006 all over Brazil and South America, opening in 2016 the first school and art retreat in Brazil dedicated to this art form, the Atelier YabYum.

Alongside her traditional practice, Tiffani explores a more intuitive and contemplative artistic language in her contemporary work. Horses, symbols of vitality and freedom that have accompanied her since childhood, are the main inspiration behind her paintings. Her contemporary works have been exhibited in Brazil and New York.

In 2015, she published Life and Thangka, and she continues to contribute writings to Buddhistdoor Global.

Tiffani has been leading annual art pilgrimages to India and Tibet since 2013, and in 2017, she co-founded Mystic Art Retreats to make the practice more accessible.

She works today at her studio Atelier YabYum at the inner state of São Paulo and teaches all over the country and South America. She lectures traditional Thangka painting and also gives Immersions on Creative art, self expressions and Art therapy groups which she developed based in body awareness, movement and contemplative arts.

TIFFANI GYATSO’S WEBSITE

CONNECT WITH TIFFANI ON SOCIAL

EXPLORE MYSTIC ART RETREATS

Episode 24 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with fiction writer and essayist, Sarah Kokernot. Sarah, who has practiced Tibetan Buddhism for 20 years, shares insights from her writing on Dharma practice and the creative process. Their dialogue begins with an overview of Sarah's spiritual journey and the profound impact of Dzogchen on her life. They explore the themes of Eros, love, and devotion in contemplative practice, highlighting the intersection of the erotic and spiritual fulfillment. Sarah also recommends resources for those interested in deepening their understanding of Dharma, including her Substack, Your Wild and Radiant Mind, and various teachings from Lama Lina and Lama Justin von Bujdoss.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Sarah Kokernot
• 03:54 Sarah’s Dharma Journey: Finding a Teacher and Deepening Practice
• 16:10 Exploring the Erotic in Dharma
• 24:01 Suffering In Life (Through A Buddhist Lens)
• 32:38 Eros and Intimate Presence in Mind
• 37:51 Compassion vs. Love
• 42:47 The Meaning of Devotion in Practice
• 47:46 Resources and Closing Thoughts

Guest Bio:

Sarah is a fiction writer and essayist who has practiced Tibetan Buddhism for 20 years. Her work has appeared in the Buddhist publication, Tricycle, The New York Times, The Best American Short Stories, EPOCH, Michigan Quarterly Review, Crazy Horse and other publications.

Raised in Kentucky in a queer family during the 80s and 90s, Sarah Kokernot found refuge in books, nature, chosen family, and the numinous. That early search for belonging continues to shape her work, and after fifteen years of publishing, she remains most devoted to creative authenticity and genuine connection.

Now based near Chicago with her husband and two children, she works as a grant writer and nonprofit consultant at StoryStudio, one of the nation’s leading creative writing centers.

With nearly two decades of teaching experience, Sarah mentors writers as a creative coach and manuscript consultant. She is currently completing her first novel and developing a book of essays, as well as sharing her insights on Dharma and creativity through her Substack, Your Wild and Radiant Mind.

SARAH KOKERNOT’S WEBSITE

SUBSCRIBE TO “YOUR WILD AND RADIANT MIND”

CONNECT WITH SARAH ON SOCIAL

Episode 23 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is part 2 of a conversation with Dr. Miles Neale. Dr. Miles Neale is a psychotherapist, Tibetan Buddhist teacher, and author. This episode continues with a discussion on the profound significance of inner, outer, and secret pilgrimages; the challenges and rewards of integrating these transformative experiences into everyday life; and the collective pilgrimage of humanity in the face of modern crises. Dr. Neale also shares personal insights from his move to Bali and his ongoing work, including his experiences leading international pilgrimages, and the launch of his newest book, Return with Elixir .

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Miles Neale
• 03:31 Therapy as a Form of Pilgrimage
• 05:44 The Challenges of Integration
• 11:31 The Collective Pilgrimage of Civilization
• 17:20 The Importance of a Guided Path
• 23:34 The Illusion of Quick Enlightenment
• 32:43 Personal Journey: Moving to Bali
• 40:02 Upcoming Pilgrimages and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio:

Dr. Miles Neale is a psychotherapist in private practice, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of the Gradual Path for inner and outer journeys, author of Gradual Awakening, and co-editor of Advances in Contemplative Psychotherapy.

His latest book, Return with Elixir: Four Maps for the Pilgrimage of the Soul Through Death and Rebirth (Inner Traditions, 2025), integrates Joseph Campbell’s mythology, Carl Jung’s psychology, Tibetan Buddhist alchemy, and the precession of the equinoxes.

Over the past twenty-five years, Miles has fused Eastern spirituality with Western psychology. He earned a Masters in meditation research from New York University, a Doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and trained in long-term mentor-student relationships with preeminent American Buddhist scholars Professor Robert Thurman, PhD, and Dr. Joseph Loizzo, MD, PhD as well as Tibetan master Geshe Tenzin Zopa.

He has taught psychology and meditation at the integrative medical clinics of Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell universities, designed and led the two-year Contemplative Studies Immersion certificate program based on the Tibetan gradual path (lam-rim), offers courses and workshops internationally including at the Tibet House, US, and has initiated service projects supporting nunneries in the Himalayan region.

Miles curates and leads life-changing pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world and lives between New York City and Bali, Indonesia.

DR. MILES NEALE’S WEBSITE

READ “RETURN WITH ELIXIR”

EXPLORE PILGRIMAGES ON THE GRADUAL PATH

DR. MILES NEALE’S INSTAGRAM

Episode 22 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Miles Neale, a psychotherapist and Tibetan Buddhist teacher. They explore Dr. Neale's multi-disciplinary approach of integrating Eastern spirituality with Western psychology. The conversation dives into his latest book, 'Return with Elixir,' and delves deep into the concept of pilgrimage as a profound spiritual practice.

Dr. Neale shares insights from his years of experience leading pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world and discusses the transformational potential of these journeys. The discussion also touches on the integration of alchemical principles, the convergence of various religious and mystical traditions, and how pilgrimage can lead to inner and secret realizations. This enlightening conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in spiritual growth, therapeutic practices, and the intersection of ancient wisdom with modern life.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Miles Neale
• 01:52 The Intersection of Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism
• 06:41 The Role of Pilgrimage in Spiritual Practice
• 16:56 The Significance of Pilgrimage and Sacred Sites
• 24:01 Understanding the Pilgrimage Mindset
• 28:07 Pilgrimage as Transformational Travel
• 34:57 Personal Pilgrimage Experiences
• 42:11 Inner Pilgrimage and Psychedelic Journeys

Guest Bio:

Dr. Miles Neale is a psychotherapist in private practice, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of the Gradual Path for inner and outer journeys, author of Gradual Awakening, and co-editor of Advances in Contemplative Psychotherapy.

His latest book, Return with Elixir: Four Maps for the Pilgrimage of the Soul Through Death and Rebirth (Inner Traditions, 2025), integrates Joseph Campbell’s mythology, Carl Jung’s psychology, Tibetan Buddhist alchemy, and the precession of the equinoxes.

Over the past twenty-five years, Miles has fused Eastern spirituality with Western psychology. He earned a Masters in meditation research from New York University, a Doctorate in clinical psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and trained in long-term mentor-student relationships with preeminent American Buddhist scholars Professor Robert Thurman, PhD, and Dr. Joseph Loizzo, MD, PhD as well as Tibetan master Geshe Tenzin Zopa.

He has taught psychology and meditation at the integrative medical clinics of Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell universities, designed and led the two-year Contemplative Studies Immersion certificate program based on the Tibetan gradual path (lam-rim), offers courses and workshops internationally including at the Tibet House, US, and has initiated service projects supporting nunneries in the Himalayan region.

Miles curates and leads life-changing pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world and lives between New York City and Bali, Indonesia.

DR. MILES NEALE’S WEBSITE

READ “RETURN WITH ELIXIR”

EXPLORE PILGRIMAGES ON THE GRADUAL PATH

DR. MILES NEALE’S INSTAGRAM

Episode 21 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Zahra Adloo, a Los Angeles-based mental health professional and psychedelic integrator who specializes in integrating Eastern philosophy with Western psychology. Zahra shares her unique approach to therapy, incorporating Reiki, trauma-informed yoga, and somatic practices to help individuals reconnect with their core identities and overcome challenges such as trauma, addiction, and anxiety.

The discussion delves deeply into Zahra's personal experience with psychedelics, particularly Ayahuasca and Ibogaine, and how these experiences facilitated her healing journey and informed her professional practice. The conversation also touches on themes like non-attachment, surrender, the importance of self-awareness, and maintaining a healthy balance between productivity and personal well-being. Additionally, Zahra shares her interest in biohacking and longevity as part of a holistic approach to mental health and personal growth.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Zahra Adloo
• 01:56 Zahra's Psychedelic Journey
• 13:17 The Transformative Power of Stillness
• 27:04 Integrating Psychedelic Experiences
• 34:08 Releasing The Ego & Discerning True Purpose
• 40:04 Karmic Visions and Ayahuasca
• 52:45 Embodying Healing As A Psychedelic Facilitator
• 1:03:04 Biohacking and Plant Medicine For Longevity

Guest Bio:

Zahra Adloo is a dedicated mental health professional and wellness host based in Los Angeles, specializing in helping individuals find meaning and purpose by uncovering their authentic selves. Through her unique, integrative approach, Zahra assists clients in navigating personal challenges and reconnecting with their core identities, fostering clarity, direction, hope, and healing.

Her clinical work blends Eastern philosophy with Western psychology, incorporating Reiki, energy healing, trauma-informed yoga, and somatic practices. Zahra’s therapeutic focus on self-compassion and empowerment has transformed the lives of those struggling with trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, OCD, and body image issues.

Zahra is also an expert in psychedelic integration, particularly in the use of Ibogaine for addiction recovery. As a Certified Psilocybin-Assisted Therapist through Fluence, she offers compassionate, informed care through every stage of the psychedelic healing process.

Beyond private practice, Zahra curates transformational wellness events across Los Angeles, where she creates safe and inspiring spaces for individuals to connect deeply with themselves and each other. Her events are rooted in themes like building community, reclaiming authenticity, nervous system healing, and integrating spiritual and mental well-being.

Trained at Palo Alto University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Zahra also draws personal inspiration from yoga, hiking, creative writing, travel, and her work as a podcast host and speaker. Her passion for cross-cultural connection and holistic transformation makes her an invaluable guide for those seeking soul-aligned mental health and growth.

ZAHRA’S WEBSITE

ZAHRA’S INSTAGRAM

Episode 20 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features an inspiring conversation with Juliana Garces, the visionary artist behind Juliana Garces Art.

This episode explores the interplay between art, energy, and consciousness, and begins with a discussion on Juliana's background in meditation, yoga, and psychedelics.

She shares how her cross-cultural upbringing and DMT experiences have profoundly impacted her artistic creations and the inspiration behind using specific deities like Shiva and Shakti.

This episode also delves into the importance of psychedelic preparation and intention-setting when working with plant medicine, and the significance of balancing equanimity with discernment when it comes to the practice.

Listeners will gain insights into Juliana’s artistic inspiration and learn how to tap into the greater cosmic creativity.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Juliana Garces
• 01:05 Juliana's Artistic and Spiritual Journey
• 08:14 DMT and Ayahuasca Experiences
• 12:56 Psychedelic Preparation and Integration
• 33:20 Diving Deep into Buddhism and Meditation Practices
• 41:26 Art as a Universal Language
• 43:01 The Role of Psychedelics in Artistic Expression
• 54:07 Integrating AI in Art Creation
• 01:00:39 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

Guest Bio:

Juliana Garces is a visionary artist and spiritual seeker, whose work reflects her deep commitment to raising the collective consciousness. Her journey with art is a continuous exploration of how visual forms can transcend language and open pathways to the infinite.

Grounded in her daily spiritual practices—meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and deep study of mysticism—her work reflects visions and experiences from realms that words cannot fully describe. Juliana sees herself simply as a channel for cosmic creativity, doing her best to step aside and let the visions flow through her.

She doesn’t view the work as her own, but rather as something greater that she’s fortunate to be part of. By tapping into the infinite space within all of us, she hopes to create pieces that serve as gentle reminders for others to reconnect with their own eternal nature.

JULIANA’S WEBSITE

JULIANA ON INSTAGRAM

JULIANA ON YOUTUBE

Episode 19 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is an enlightening conversation with Spring Washam, the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys.

Adrian and Spring catch up and discuss the evolution of Lotus Vine Journeys and its 10-year-long history of ayahuasca retreats blended with a Buddhist framework.

Spring shares her insights on the ever-changing nature of spiritual practices, the ethical considerations in shamanic traditions, and the deep healing she’s undertaken over the decade.

The discussion touches upon the importance of preparation and integration in plant medicine journeys, ethical tensions in traditional settings, and the benefits of incorporating sacred plant teachings with non-dual Buddhist principles. They also explore the possibility of sustainable practices with alternative plants like peganam harmala and the broader implications of psychedelics in shifting global consciousness.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introducing Spring Washam
• 04:30 Integrating Dharma and Plant Medicine
• 14:31 Ethics and Evolution in Plant Medicine Practices
• 21:13 The Role of the Maestro and Direct Connection
• 33:47 Honoring Ayahuasca Traditions While Embracing Change
• 38:10 Integrating Buddhism into Ayahuasca Ceremonies
• 44:53 The Importance of Psychedelic Preparation
• 52:45 Sustainability and Accessibility of Plant Medicines

Guest Bio:

Considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based meditation practices to diverse communities; Spring Washam is a well-known teacher, healer, and visionary leader based in Oakland, California.

She is the author of A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Courage and Wisdom in Any Moment and The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground.

Spring is one of the founding teachers at the East Bay Meditation Center, an organization that offers Buddhist teachings with attention to social action and multiculturalism. She is a member of the teacher’s council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, offering teachings on Buddhist philosophy, Insight meditation and loving-kindness practices. Spring is also the founder of Lotus Vine Journeys, a one-of-a-kind organization that blends indigenous healing practices with Buddhist wisdom for transformative retreats in South America.

She has practiced and studied Buddhist philosophy in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism since 1999. Spring is also a shamanic practitioner and has studied indigenous healing practices since 2008.

Spring’s workshops, interviews, and writing can be found in mainstream media worldwide.

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Episode 18 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is the second part of a two-part conversation with Todd Norian, the founder of Ashaya Yoga®. The conversation centers on Tantra Yoga and how it offers a nondual and joyous framework for understanding life.

The episode picks up with Todd sharing his journey of integrating body, mind, and heart through Tantra Yoga. This opens the discussion on topics such as the metaphysics of Shaiva Shakta Tantra, concerns within traditional guru culture, how Tantra supports emotional agility, and the importance of courage and compassion when sitting with discomfort.

The dialogue wraps up with an introduction into Ashaya Yoga, and is an insightful episode on navigating spiritual teachings while emphasizing personal growth and emotional understanding.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introducing Todd Norian
• 02:58 The Metaphysics Of Tantra Yoga
• 09:10 Transcendence and Immanence in Tantra
• 16:24 Navigating Teacher-Student Relationships
• 26:58 Using Tantra Yoga To Explore And Accept Emotions
• 45:51 The Three C's of Emotional Agility

Guest Bio:

Todd Norian, E-RYT 500, YACEP, internationally acclaimed yoga teacher, founder of Ashaya Yoga, author of Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, A Memoir, musician, acharya in Blue Throat Yoga, and a Kripalu Legacy Faculty, teaches classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings both live in-person and online, for students and teachers all over the world.

A student of yoga since 1980, Todd brings a depth of inner strength, devotion, vulnerability, and an unapologetic sense of humor to everything he does. Todd seeks to awaken others to their inherent potential for healing and joy by integrating the body, mind, and heart through Ashaya Yoga and meditation.

In 2012, Todd founded Ashaya Yoga®, an alignment-based, heart-centered practice which uses the five elements and the teachings from the Nondual Tantra tradition to build strength and flexibility while giving students access to a universe of power within. He is a guest teacher at many renowned spiritual centers and conferences including Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, Esalen, and the Toronto Yoga Show. As a classically trained jazz musician, Todd created several music albums for yoga and relaxation, including the world-renowned Bija: Soothing Music and Mantras for Yoga and Meditation.

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Episode 17 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is the first part of a two-part conversation with Todd Norian, the founder of Ashaya Yoga®. The conversation centers on Tantra Yoga and how it offers a nondual and joyous framework for understanding life.

Todd begins the discussion by debunking some misconceptions of Tantra and then dives deeper into some of the core tenets of the practice, including its view on suffering, the balance between transcendence and embodiment, and the value of embracing life's full spectrum of experiences and emotions.

This episode highlights a more integrated approach to the householder path and encourages listeners to view life, including its challenges, as part of their awakening journey.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introducing Todd Norian
• 03:03 Defining Tantra Yoga and Clearing Up Misconceptions
• 12:10 The Balance Between Transcendence and Immanence
• 17:56 Questioning Perfection and the Guru Tradition
• 23:46 Embracing The Discomfort of Challenging Emotions Like Loneliness and Grief
• 33:39 Three Guiding Questions For Spiritual Awakening and Empowerment Through Tantra

Guest Bio:

Todd Norian, E-RYT 500, YACEP, internationally acclaimed yoga teacher, founder of Ashaya Yoga, author of Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, A Memoir, musician, acharya in Blue Throat Yoga, and a Kripalu Legacy Faculty, teaches classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings both live in-person and online, for students and teachers all over the world.

A student of yoga since 1980, Todd brings a depth of inner strength, devotion, vulnerability, and an unapologetic sense of humor to everything he does. Todd seeks to awaken others to their inherent potential for healing and joy by integrating the body, mind, and heart through Ashaya Yoga and meditation.

In 2012, Todd founded Ashaya Yoga®, an alignment-based, heart-centered practice which uses the five elements and the teachings from the Nondual Tantra tradition to build strength and flexibility while giving students access to a universe of power within. He is a guest teacher at many renowned spiritual centers and conferences including Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, Esalen, and the Toronto Yoga Show. As a classically trained jazz musician, Todd created several music albums for yoga and relaxation, including the world-renowned Bija: Soothing Music and Mantras for Yoga and Meditation.

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Episode 16 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Justin Kelley, PhD, the Executive Director at Tergar Institute and Tergar Schools. Raised in rural Massachusetts, Justin’s transformative journey began in Tibetan refugee communities in India and Nepal. This discussion dives into the role of the scholar-practitioner, his extensive research in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, his role as executive director in the Tergar community, the importance of balancing traditional and contemporary learning methods, and the challenges and adaptive strategies for transmitting Vajrayana Buddhism in the modern world.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to Justin Kelley, PhD
• 05:24 Justin’s Journey with Buddhism
• 19:44 Meeting Mingyur Rinpoche
• 27:20 Tergar Institute & Tergar Schools: Mission, Curriculum, and Approach Towards The Tradition
• 34:57 Adapting Vajrayana Teachings and Discussing Power Dynamics in Traditional Institutes
• 46:16 Psychedelics & The Importance of Stabilizing The View

Guest Bio:

Justin Kelley, a scholar-practitioner deeply engaged in both the academic and practical realms of Tibetan Buddhism, was raised on a farm in rural Massachusetts. His path took a transformative turn when he spent a decade immersed in Tibetan refugee communities across India and Nepal, where he dedicated himself to studying Tibetan language, Buddhist philosophy, and meditative practices.

In 2021, Justin earned his PhD from Rice University’s Department of Religion, under the mentorship of Dr. Anne C. Klein, a distinguished professor of Religious Studies. His scholarly interests are expansive, encompassing the meditative and philosophical systems of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, phenomenology, contemplative studies, and learning theory.

Justin's research is particularly focused on the nuanced processes of personal transformation—how these transformations are cultivated and the outcomes they yield. His dissertation explored Longchen Rabjam’s ontology of purity within the framework of the Great Completeness (Dzogchen), contributing to a larger project aimed at tracing the genealogy of purity throughout Buddhist history.

In addition to his work in Buddhist theory and practice, Justin is passionate about the learning process and the art of pedagogy. His teaching philosophy is grounded in a transformative approach, emphasizing engaged and applied pedagogies that foster inclusive and empathetic learning environments. Whether in a classroom or digital setting, Justin is committed to creating educational experiences that honor the full spectrum of human experience.

Currently, Justin serves as the executive director of two interrelated organizations: Tergar Schools and the Tergar Institute. At the heart of both organizations is the seamless integration of Tibetan Buddhist theory and practice with contemporary approaches to learning, with Tergar Schools focusing on primary and secondary education and the Tergar Institute on continuing and higher education.

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Episode 15 with Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Sara Lewis, PhD, LCSW, the co-founder and director of training and research at Naropa University’s center for Psychedelic Studies. This conversation explores the intersection psychedelic-assisted therapy, healing intergenerational trauma, building resilience in the face of adversity, and how having a background grounded in contemplative practices can support with the preparation and integration of using plant medicines like ayahuasca and soma for greater healing. The conversation delves into the diverse frameworks for psychedelic-assisted therapy and advocates to make these transformative experiences accessible and meaningful for a wide range of individuals.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introducing Sara Lewis, PhD, LCSW
• 03:07 The Intersection of Psychedelics and Dharma
• 08:54 Somatic Experiencing Why Groundedness Is Important When Using Psychedelics
• 14:33 How To Integrate Insights After Ceremony
• 25:44 Traditional vs Modern Approaches For Psychedelic Use
• 42:52 How Psychedelics And Buddhism Can Support With Healing Trauma

Guest Bio:

Sara Lewis, PhD, LCSW is co-founder and Director of Training and Research at Naropa University's Center for Psychedelic Studies. Sara earned her PhD at Columbia University in medical anthropology and public health; her research sits at the intersection of religion, culture and healing with an emphasis on non-ordinary states. As a Fulbright scholar, she conducted long term ethnographic research in India, culminating in her book, Spacious Minds: Trauma and Resilience in Tibetan Buddhism, which investigates how Buddhist concepts of mind shape traumatic memory and pathways to resilience. Sara has also published research on ayahuasca and spiritual emergencies. As a contemplative psychotherapist, she specializes in intergenerational trauma and healing through Somatic Experiencing and psychedelic-assisted therapy. She is an Associate MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training Consultant for Lykos Therapeutics and provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in her private practice in Boulder, CO.

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Episode Summary:

Episode 14 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with writer, psychotherapist, and ayahuasca integration coach, Kerry Moran. Kerry shares her fascinating journey of living in Kathmandu and practicing Dharma, to becoming a psychotherapist with a private practice in Portland, and finally moving to Peru and working closely with ayahuasca for spiritual and therapeutic purposes.

The conversation delves into how her background in Dzogchen and depth psychology enhances her work with psychedelics, the transformative power of ayahuasca, and the importance of integration in psychedelic experiences. Listeners will learn about the feminine archetype of the dakini, the embodied nature of ayahuasca experiences, and the role of compassion and embodiment in spiritual growth.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Guest Introduction
• 02:21 Kerry's Journey into Dharma: Living and Practicing in Kathmandu
• 10:27 Transitioning and Practicing Depth Psychology
• 18:56 Ayahuasca Through A Tantric Lens
• 27:16 Integrated and Embodied Healing After An Ayahuasca Ceremony
• 44:33 How Dharma and Plant Medicine Can Be Synergistic In Inspiring Awakening

Guest Bio:

Kerry Moran is a psychotherapist and writer who brings decades of experience in Vajrayana Buddhism and depth psychology to the integration of ayahuasca. She lives in the Sacred Valley of Peru, where she works, locally and internationally, as an ayahuasca integration therapist. Her approach is both spiritual and practical, working to ground the wisdom of ayahuasca in daily life. Among other things, she's a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, an archetypal astrologer, and an apprentice tabaquera.

Kerry's personal experience with master plants provides the foundation of her integration work with clients. She's worked intensively with ayahuasca for the past 10 years and has completed a lengthy series of plant dietas with a Peruvian tabaquero. Other plants she considers her teachers are iboga and huachuma (San Pedro).

Kerry's therapeutic approach blends depth psychology with the non-dual teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and a profound respect for the wisdom of the plants. You can find much more on her website, ayahuascawisdom.com, including an insightful blog about ayahuasca integration.

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INTEGRATING AYAHUASCA: 10 WEEKS OF SKILLS & SUPPORT TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CEREMONIES

Episode Summary:

Episode 13 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with poet, artist, and Zen meditation teacher, Brooke McNamara. The discussion centers on the intersection between art and Zen Buddhism and explores themes like the embodiment of Eros, the paradox of transcendence and intimacy, and the importance of uncertainty in spiritual practice. Brooke also reads one of her touching poems, 'Change the Lighting,' and discusses her perspective on poetry as a vehicle for transmitting life's vibrancy. The conversation touches on the influences of various Zen and Tantric masters and how their teachings intersect with creative expression and wraps up with a summary of her current work as an artist and with Dragon Lake Zen, a meditation community based in Colorado.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Guest Introduction
• 02:03 Exploring the Intersection of Zen, Meditation, and Creativity
• 19:27 Embracing Uncertainty and Aliveness in Zen
• 25:37 Erotic and Creative Energies in Zen and Poetry
• 36:35 The Importance of Ethics in Transgressive Practices
• 39:51 Poetic Reflection and Closing Thoughts

Guest Bio:

Brooke McNamara, MFA, is a poet, dance-theater artist, teacher, and Zen dharma holder. She has published two books of poems: Bury the Seed (2020) and Feed Your Vow (2015). For her poetry, she is the recipient of the Charles B. Palmer prize from the Academy of American Poets.

Brooke has taught at Naropa University in Yoga Studies and at the University of Colorado, Boulder in Dance, and she is co-director with Lauren Beale of Eunice Embodiment, an organization that offers cutting edge performances, embodiment education, and creative practice workshops and retreats.

Brooke is creator and instructor of the online courses Write to the Heart of Motherhood, Summoning the Unseen, Cultivate: Creative Practice (with Lauren Beale), and Women’s Ritual of Renewal (with Lisa Gibson). She is a long time Zen student of Diane Musho Hamilton, Roshi, and empowered as a dharma holder.

Brooke lives with her husband, Rob, and their two wild, adorable sons, Lundin and Orion.

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DRAGON LAKE ZEN MEDITATION COMMUNITY

Episode Summary:

Episode 12 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma is features an insightful conversation with Jess McNally, an experienced Buddhist practitioner and facilitator in Minyak Rinpoche's Tergar Meditation Community. Jess shares her journey with Buddhism, from her academic beginnings at Stanford University to living and training at Zen Mountain Monastery, and eventually ordaining as a monastic in the Tibetan tradition. The conversation delves into the differences between secular meditation and traditional Buddhist practices, the significance of having a good meditation teacher, the value in contemplating life (and death), and the profound benefits of attending retreat.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Guest Introduction
• 06:51 Transition to Monastic Life
• 13:59 The Importance of a Good Teacher
• 20:17 Secular vs. Traditional Buddhist Practices
• 27:00 Understanding Karma and Death
• 35:41 Upcoming Retreats and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio:

Jess McNally has devoted much of her adult life to practicing and studying Buddhism. After completing both a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree in Earth Systems at Stanford University, she moved to Zen Mountain Monastery near New York, where she lived and trained for over three years.

During that time she completed over forty week-long silent retreats (sesshins). In 2015, she decided to pursue Tibetan Buddhism and was ordained as a monastic by Thrangu Rinpoche. She met Mingyur Rinpoche shortly afterward at Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya, India. Under his guidance, she completed a series of solitary retreats in Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s cave in the Himalayas, including a 5-month retreat over winter. Since 2016, Jess has also been a student of Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

In 2018, Jess chose to return to lay life and her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jess serves as a Senior Tergar Facilitator and host for online Tergar retreats and workshops. She also runs her own web design business. In her downtime, she loves to go on adventures outside with her dog Pema, sing and cook.

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