Mind & Life

Bob Thurman - Wisdom is Bliss

Listen Later

In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar and author Robert (Bob) Thurman. Bob is one of the foremost scholars in the world on Tibetan Buddhism, and played a major role in bringing Buddhism to America. This conversation covers many topics, including:

  • his entry into Buddhism, and befriending the Dalai Lama;
  • links between Buddhism and science (and why Buddhism is 1/6 religion);
  • problems with scientific materialism;
  • enlightenment and emptiness;
  • stories of the Buddha leaving home;
  • four friendly fun facts (noble truths);
  • realistic vs. right approaches on the path;
  • jumping into bliss prematurely;
  • Buddhist ethics;
  • practices to push against essentialism;
  • the key role of compassion in enlightenment;
  • how he thinks about reincarnation and continuation of consciousness;
  • the role of science on the contemplative path;
  • and Bob's parting fun fact.

    • Full show notes and resources

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Mind & LifeBy Mind & Life Institute
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    272 ratings

    More shows like Mind & Life

    View all
    The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

    The One You Feed

    2,547 Listeners

    Tara Brach by Tara Brach

    Tara Brach

    10,524 Listeners

    Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast by Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

    Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

    263 Listeners

    Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

    Tricycle Talks

    359 Listeners

    The Wisdom Podcast by The Wisdom Podcast

    The Wisdom Podcast

    328 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    825 Listeners

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,852 Listeners

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

    1,470 Listeners

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg by Be Here Now Network

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

    712 Listeners

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein by Be Here Now Network

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

    958 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,746 Listeners

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

    2,507 Listeners

    Living Myth by Michael Meade

    Living Myth

    983 Listeners

    The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

    The Way Out Is In

    1,323 Listeners

    Sounds of SAND by Science and Nonduality

    Sounds of SAND

    107 Listeners