What do the Dalai Lama, the X Files, UFOs, Sex Magic, Tibetan singing bowls, Yeti-Monsters, demons, dharma, wizards, Tantra & Darwin have in common? Why, Ben Joffe of course, the latest guest on the Imperfect Buddha podcast.

Ben Joffe is a cultural anthropology PhD candidate from South Africa currently based at the University of Colorado. He specialize in the anthropology of contemporary Tibet, Tibetan exile, and Buddhism; in the study of religion, magic, witchcraft, esotericism(s), neo-paganism(s), neo-shamanism(s); and long, dangle-y earrings. His research is focused on Tibetan Buddhist non-celibate tantric ritual specialists, or ngakpa/ma who live outside of Tibet, and the globalization of Tibetan Buddhism. He is interested in how the esoteric knowledge and charisma of these long-haired tantric Buddhist wizards is currently being mediated, circulated, appropriated and contested as part of increasingly transnational networks of exchange, and as part of Tibetans’ efforts to make legible a Tibetan nation in exile and to preserve and reform Tibetan culture as stateless peoples.

Read more on his work over at Savage Minds: http://savageminds.org/author/ben/
Or at his blog A Perfumed Skull, where you can find a wealth of material: https://perfumedskull.com/

14. IBP: Ben Joffe on the paranormal, Tibetan Buddhism, UFOs & the Ngakpa

The Imperfect Buddha podcast explores the world of contemporary Western Buddhism mixing in banter with analysis, no holds barred discussion, and guest interviews. We shun Ted style talks in favour of in-depth discussion and interviews that have room to breathe. 

The podcast has a host site which features articles and essays on contemporary Western Buddhism, as well as show notes for each episode. 

Follow the link to find out more: http://imperfectbuddha.com

The podcast is sponsored by O'Connell Coaching. For support with any of the issues discussed in the podcast, check out the link for an approach that is perfectly suited to Buddhists, post-Buddhists, non-Buddhists, secular sceptics, and New Age refugees. I use Buddhist tools, modern counselling and coaching techniques and practices, along with neo-Shamanic practices and models to help folks rekindle their relationship with personal-growth, development and change work or re-evaluate a relationship with Buddhism or other spiritual paths. https://oconnellcoaching.com

You can leave comments at the Imperfect Buddha Facebook page or Twitter feed. Feel free to make suggestions for topics to cover and guests to interview.

Our original theme tune was  provided by RSD (Smith & Mighty)from Bristol, UK. Check him out at: https://rsdbristol.bandcamp.com

Our new theme tune comes from Trieste and the artist Emerald Dream. Check out his work at: https://emeralddreams.bandcamp.com/releases 

Original street art Buddha image by Bristol's Banksy: http://banksy.co.uk/menu.asp

Religion & Spirituality

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The Imperfect Buddha Podcast is moving on to new terrain and a new home over at the New Books Network, a location for intelligent conversations. Here's the link:

https://newbooksnetwork.com/category/academic-partners/the-imperfect-buddha 

Past episodes will remain here at Soundcloud for the next six months. You can also listen to all episodes at the host site fro now and forever and catch writings and think piece too, as well as check out my work on coaching. Scroll down for the player: 

https://imperfectbuddha.com/ 

It will also continue to be available through Stitcher, itunes and even Spotify.

To all those who signed up here to catch regular episodes, a big thank you. I hope you will continue to follow the podcast at its new home. New episodes coming out there continue with the theme of Secular Buddhism with an interview with Stephen Batchelor, followed by another with secular maestro Winton Higgins, and a think piece on Doubt. 

What you waiting for. Head on over!

Last Act @Soundcloud: Moving to a New Home

From immanent Buddhism to cruel optimism, from secular subjectivity to the unconscious material running through your personal practice, today's episode features a returning guest in the figure of Richard K. Payne who is here to discuss his latest work and the contributions made by many great authors thinking deeply and critically about contemporary Buddhism.

Published by Shambhala Publications, Secularizing Buddhism was released on the 3rd August, so if you like what you hear, why not consider getting a copy. It features contributions from Ron Purser, David L. McMahan, Bikkhu Bodhi, Sara Shaw, Gil Fronsdal and many more. 

Richard K. Payne's first interview with us on Critical Reflections on Buddhism https://soundcloud.com/imperfect-buddha-podcast/48-ibp-richard-k-payne-critical-reflections-on-western-buddhism

Links
The Imperfect Buddha site: https://imperfectbuddha.com
O'Connell Coaching: https://imperfectbuddha.com/authors-notes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imperfectbuddha
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Imperfectbuddha

82. IBP: Richard K. Payne on Securalizing Buddhism

Something like a provocation, something of an introduction; this audio-cast presents a recent piece of work over at the Imperfect Buddha site on non-practice for all those interested in how to apply the non- to the practising life. 
Built on Complex world, Complex Practice and prior to a series on applied practice, this is the audio version of an elaboration of the opening shots of a revolutionary practice. 
See what you think, do the warm up and get ready for the main meal. 
Background music by Funki Porcini 
https://funkiporcini.bandcamp.com/ 

Accompanying texts; 
Complex World, Complex Practice
https://imperfectbuddha.com/2021/03/24/complex-world-complex-practice/
You Need Non-Practice!
https://imperfectbuddha.com/2021/06/07/you-need-non-practice/

81. IBP: You need non-practice!

Tina Rassmussen is one of our first meditation teachers on in a long while. Well, being a practice based series, this was inevitable. Tina was co-author of a book on jhana states and concentration that I have had on my shelf for a long time. Concentration is not the topic of our conversation, however. Here are some of the themes we explored;

•	Compatibility issues between neo-Advaita and Buddhism
•	Generational conceptions of practice; from Boomers to Millennials
•	The need to evolve our understanding and ways of thinking about and describing awakening/enlightenment
•	The phases and stages of a practising life
•	Roadblocks, hurdles, maturation; limitations
•	Critiquing the language we use to talk about self, ego, awakening
•	The way belief shapes practice, perception, expectations and the contours of subjectivity

Enjoy the spring everyone and let’s all wish a swift end to this pandemic.

https://luminousmindsangha.com/

80. IBP: Tina Rasmussen PhD Concentrating on Practice

And so it goes on. This is our second episode in the new practice series. In the meantime, I had something of an allergic reaction to social media, and the internet more broadly. Despite a pretty disciplined relationship with digital life, I had something akin to an epiphany mid-January and realised that in my own way I had got caught up in maintaining what I am increasingly thinking of as the synthetic real.  The digital life is seductive in ways that are not always easy to identify and like many insidious forces in this world, it can creep up on you in unexpected ways. What this means long-term is anyone’s guess. For now, I have reduced my internet time drastically, with time spent on social media cut by 90% and I am thrilled by the results. If such concerns orbit your life too, you may want to check out Jaron Lanier’s work on social media. 
Our guest this time is Gregory Kramer, insight meditation teacher since the 1980s, he has developed a practice called Insight Dialogue; A sort of interpersonal meditation practice. Gregory teaches meditation, leads retreats and has written two books on Buddhist practice. The first on Insight Dialogue, and the second released in 2020 called A Whole Life Path. 
Gregory was candid in his answers. There are powerful moments in this episode that arise as we venture down the path of the deeply personal nature of practice. Gregory’s work is rooted in early Buddhist traditions yet he lives a house-holder’s life. His commitment to the practising life is evident throughout. 
In his own words;

“...my own life experience have led me to emphasize an integrated path of development, where individual and interpersonal meditation are joined with contemplation, ethical inquiry, and a commitment to kindness.”

Other point of interest, Gregory’s been married for over forty years and has three sons and five grandchildren. He was once a music composer, performer and taught composition at NYU while scoring films, video and dance works. He also developed devices for the music and recording field, and was even a founding figure in the science of auditory display and data sonification. 
Links
The Imperfect Buddha site: https://imperfectbuddha.com
O'Connell Coaching: https://imperfectbuddha.com/authors-notes

Facebook: www.facebook.com/imperfectbuddha
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Imperfectbuddha
https://gregorykramer.org/

14. IBP: Ben Joffe on the paranormal, Tibetan Buddhism, UFOs & the Ngakpa

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