In this episode, we talk to Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., meditation teacher, Buddhist practitioner, and author of Practising the Jhānas. Tina shares her remarkable path of awakening, which began at the age of 13 and unfolded through profound solo retreats, including a transformative year-long retreat in 2003. She discusses her experiences as the first Western woman to complete the detailed jhāna path in the Burmese lineage under the guidance of meditation master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, who later authorized her to teach. Tina also shares her journey of taking refuge with Tsoknyi Rinpoche, a Tibetan Dzogchen teacher, and her initiation into the Nyingma lineage. This conversation explores Tina’s work integrating spiritual awakening into everyday life, her transition from being drawn to monasticism to embracing the dynamism of modern life, and the challenges of weaving awakening into daily relationships. Topics include non-attachment, the transformative potential of practices like jhāna and somatic inquiry, and the embodiment of spiritual realizations.

There some audio quality imperfections in this episode, but we hope the insights shared more than make up for it.

Tina Rasmussen’s Luminous Mind Sangha fosters awakening and its embodiment in worldly life through the application of authentic, rigorous Buddhist and modern practices.

Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.

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