Ep. 607 – Karma & Kismet with Dr. Micha...

Discussing the spiritual experiences that shaped his life, Dr. Michael Shandler describes the lessons he learned from taking psychedelics, meeting Baba Hari Dass, and more.

Grab your copy of Dr. Michael’s award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, HERE.

In this episode, Raghu and Michael have an elaborate discussion on:

• Dr. Michael’s early encounters with antisemitism and racism in boarding school and the South African military
• The impact of Zionist upbringing on Dr. Michael’s worldview and his transformative time living in an Israeli kibbutz
• Healing strained parental relationships: how Dr. Michael overcame challenges with his father
• Dr. Michael's time with Baba Hari Dass, Ram Dass’s teacher
• Why chasing multiple psychedelic trips may be less valuable than simply integrating lessons from the first
• Restoring balance to the nervous system with yogic practices and Ayurveda
• A heart-centered teaching from Neem Karoli Baba: Poori and Potatoes

Check out Ram Dass’s Here We All Are lecture, mentioned in this episode. 

About Dr. Michael Shandler:

Dr. Michael Shandler is an award-winning author, speaker, and life coach with over forty years of experience guiding individuals and teams on their journeys toward psycho-spiritual well-being. and optimal performance As the founder of Vision Action Associates and former director of leadership and organization development at Arthur D. Little in London, U.K., Shandler has spent decades helping leaders, teams, and individuals tap into their potential, combining psychological insight with cutting edge collaborative techniques and the perennial wisdom of the ages.

In 2024, Shandler’s multiple award-winning memoir, Karma and Kismet, A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures, and Consciousness, was published by Koehler Books. This award-winning narrative chronicles his personal journey through adversity and triumph, exploring the powerful forces of fate and karma that have shaped his life across continents and cultures. His work resonates with anyone seeking transformation, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of life’s interconnectedness.

“During the meeting, he said to me, ‘How many times have you taken LSD?’ Who knew? I didn’t really remember. I said, ‘I can’t really remember Baba Ji.’ He said, ‘The first trip you took was the important one, everything else was a waste of time after that.’”– Dr. Michael Shandler

This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon.

Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher.

Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening.

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