In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Vaishnava scholar and Hindu chaplain Adi Purusha, whose academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a focus on theodicy, Vedanta, and ethics. The conversation explores the problem of evil—how suffering can coexist with an all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing God—through the lens of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Topics include karma, the purpose of suffering, and how to approach these ideas without minimizing or justifying suffering. This episode complements a previous discussion with Christian theologian Thomas Jay Oord, showcasing diverse spiritual responses to divine justice and human pain. The podcast seeks dialogue, not doctrinal agreement, aiming to foster deeper understanding and love across differences.

https://youtu.be/XBodQVjsiC8

<hr/>

▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/GaudiyaReformForum">Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook</a> . ~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels


▶ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swamipadmanabha108">FACEBOOK</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiPadmanabha">YOUTUBE</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/swamipadmanabha/">INSTAGRAM</a>


▶ <a href="https://swamipadmanabha.com">WEBSITE</a>


▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Personalism-Manifesto-Proactive-Devotion/dp/B0C6BWMHB2">Amazon</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/edit?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0C6BWMHB2">WRITE your REVIEW</a> of RADICAL PERSONALISM


~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels

▶ <a href="https://tadatmya.org/">WEBSITE</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tadatmya.sangha">FACEBOOK</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tadatmya.sangha">INSTAGRAM</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@tadatmya-sangha">YOUTUBE</a>

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Vaishnava scholar and Hindu chaplain Adi Purusha, whose academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a focus on theodicy, Vedanta, and ethics. The conversation explores the problem of evil—how suffering can coexist with an all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing God—through the lens of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Topics include karma, the purpose of suffering, and how to approach these ideas without minimizing or justifying suffering. This episode complements a previous discussion with Christian theologian Thomas Jay Oord, showcasing diverse spiritual responses to divine justice and human pain. The podcast seeks dialogue, not doctrinal agreement, aiming to foster deeper understanding and love across differences. https://youtu.be/XBodQVjsiC8 ▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook . ~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ YOUTUBE ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ WEBSITE ▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on Amazon ▶ WRITE your REVIEW of RADICAL PERSONALISM ~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels ▶ WEBSITE ▶ FACEBOOK ▶ INSTAGRAM ▶ YOUTUBE

In this episode of the Free Radical Podcast, Swami Padmanabha welcomes Vaishnava scholar and Hindu chaplain Adi Purusha, whose academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a focus on theodicy, Vedanta, and ethics. The conversation explores the problem of evil—how suffering can coexist with an all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing God—through the lens of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Topics include karma, the purpose of suffering, and how to approach these ideas without minimizing or justifying suffering. This episode complements a previous discussion with Christian theologian Thomas Jay Oord, showcasing diverse spiritual responses to divine justice and human pain. The podcast seeks dialogue, not doctrinal agreement, aiming to foster deeper understanding and love across differences.

https://youtu.be/XBodQVjsiC8



▶ CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/GaudiyaReformForum" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gaudiya Reform Forum on Facebook</a> . ~ Swami Padmanabha’s Channels


▶ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swamipadmanabha108" rel="noopener noreferrer">FACEBOOK</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SwamiPadmanabha" rel="noopener noreferrer">YOUTUBE</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/swamipadmanabha/" rel="noopener noreferrer">INSTAGRAM</a>


▶ <a href="https://swamipadmanabha.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">WEBSITE</a>


▶ PURCHASE RADICAL PERSONALISM: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion in hardcover, paperback, and/or Kindle formats on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Personalism-Manifesto-Proactive-Devotion/dp/B0C6BWMHB2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amazon</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/edit?ie=UTF8&amp;channel=glance-detail&amp;asin=B0C6BWMHB2" rel="noopener noreferrer">WRITE your REVIEW</a> of RADICAL PERSONALISM


~ Tadatmya Sangha’s Channels

▶ <a href="https://tadatmya.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">WEBSITE</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tadatmya.sangha" rel="noopener noreferrer">FACEBOOK</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tadatmya.sangha" rel="noopener noreferrer">INSTAGRAM</a>


▶ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@tadatmya-sangha" rel="noopener noreferrer">YOUTUBE</a>

The Free Radical Podcast #48 | Karma, Free Will, and the Problem of Evil — Adi Purusha, June 18, 2025

The Free Radical Podcast is a creative encounter among like-minded and like-hearted spirits, regardless of their background or affiliation—or even non-affiliation. Following the call of our 21st Century spirituality, we embrace a trans-institutional commitment to spirituality rather than an institutionalized version of it. It is not so much about the demarkation of buildings but the exploration of hearts, not so much about fitting in but about deeply belonging—not so much about mere holiness but about wholeness as well.  And it is the freedom born in the fire of these shared hearts who deeply belong to a process of becoming fully whole, fully persons, that creates the sacred space to step into new ways of being, deeper ways of being, radical—to the core—ways of being….and being what?….Being fully integrated individuals, whose humanity contextualizes their spirituality.Swami Padmanabha is an author, monk, and spiritual mentor who has just published his second book, called "Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion." 


     The format of the podcast is not an interview as much as spontaneous exploration in dialogue, encouraging a multi-trait interdisciplinary method of approaching how we understand something—of looking at it from different angles and perspectives. We don’t expect to agree on everything with each person, but we do expect to use our differences as a way to approach each other, rather than an excuse for further distancing. The time has come to let down the draw bridges and learn how to deeply relate with ourselves, each other, and the world in meaningful ways. This experience of mutual enlightenment can be also called “Collective Introspection.” This joint reflection is probably “the highest form of worship and communion. Restricted to the individual, this power of reflection remains limited and rudimentary. It is only in connection to kindred spirits that we can discover our own depth and wholeness. In other words, the deepest form of reflection can be developed only in communion with others. It is essentially a social phenomenon.” (excerpt from Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion”). 


     The Free Radical Podcast attempts to invoke sacred space and sacred conversation through deep expressive exchanges with like-minded souls with whom we share one same purpose in mind and heart, that purpose being to align our lives with the loving will of the Sweet Absolute, and to compassionately point to those things that need to be addressed for that miracle to continue happening in each of us.


     Please join the conversation. It won’t be the same without you.

Religion & Spirituality

The Free Radical Podcast is a creative encounter among like-minded and like-hearted spirits, regardless of their background or affiliation—or even non-affiliation. Following the call of our 21st Century spirituality, we embrace a trans-institutional commitment to spirituality rather than an institutionalized version of it. It is not so much about the demarkation of buildings but the exploration of hearts, not so much about fitting in but about deeply belonging—not so much about mere holiness but about wholeness as well. And it is the freedom born in the fire of these shared hearts who deeply belong to a process of becoming fully whole, fully persons, that creates the sacred space to step into new ways of being, deeper ways of being, radical—to the core—ways of being….and being what?….Being fully integrated individuals, whose humanity contextualizes their spirituality.Swami Padmanabha is an author, monk, and spiritual mentor who has just published his second book, called "Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion." The format of the podcast is not an interview as much as spontaneous exploration in dialogue, encouraging a multi-trait interdisciplinary method of approaching how we understand something—of looking at it from different angles and perspectives. We don’t expect to agree on everything with each person, but we do expect to use our differences as a way to approach each other, rather than an excuse for further distancing. The time has come to let down the draw bridges and learn how to deeply relate with ourselves, each other, and the world in meaningful ways. This experience of mutual enlightenment can be also called “Collective Introspection.” This joint reflection is probably “the highest form of worship and communion. Restricted to the individual, this power of reflection remains limited and rudimentary. It is only in connection to kindred spirits that we can discover our own depth and wholeness. In other words, the deepest form of reflection can be developed only in communion with others. It is essentially a social phenomenon.” (excerpt from Radical Personalism: Revival Manifesto for Proactive Devotion”). The Free Radical Podcast attempts to invoke sacred space and sacred conversation through deep expressive exchanges with like-minded souls with whom we share one same purpose in mind and heart, that purpose being to align our lives with the loving will of the Sweet Absolute, and to compassionately point to those things that need to be addressed for that miracle to continue happening in each of us. Please join the conversation. It won’t be the same without you.

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The Free Radical Podcast #48 | Karma, Free Will, and the Problem of Evil — Adi Purusha, June 18, 2025

The Free Radical Podcast #48 | Karma, Free Will, and the Problem of Evil — Adi Purusha, June 18, 2025

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