Apramada

Advayacitta interviews Ratnaguna on the importance of individuality, especially in this moment of political polarisation, identity politics, and intolerance of views other than one’s own.

Director and conductor of the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra, and member of the Triratna Buddhist Order Sravaniya (Mark Latham), tells Ratnaguna why he thinks classical music is important. Music mentioned by Sravaniya: Beethoven, 9th Symphony. Bach, the Allemande from Partita number 2 for solo violin. Erik Satie, Gymnopedie. George Crumb, Black Angels.

Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about how recognising and transcending various patterns from the past is an important aspect of psychological and spiritual development. The piece of music Ratnaguna mentions towards the end of the interview is Le Reveil des Oiseaux (The Awakening of the Birds) by Oliver Messiaen.

Ratnaguna and Advayacitta discuss aspects of Buddhism and psychological therapy - their similarities and differences. In particular they explore the topic of 'helpful conversations'.

Prajnanandi read ‘a good heart is not enough’, and wrote to the author to say, 'I absolutely agree with the principles you outlined, but when I applied the principles, I came to the opposite conclusions. Can we talk?’

Chintamani has been creating Buddhist images allhis adult life, and Ratnaguna asks him about his approach to this and, looking at seven of his paintings and sculptures, how his work has evolved. (Note: there are times when Ratnaguna looks intently at something off screen - he is looking at photos of the paintings or sculpturesthey are talking about.)

Ratnaguna and Advayacitta discuss the book ‘Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class’ by Paul Embery, and the important issues it raises. Other books mentioned in the discussion are: ‘Woke Inc.’ by Vivek Ramaswamy, ‘The New Class War’ by Michael Lind, Neo-Feudalism’ by Joel Kotkin.

Maitreyabandhu is an award-winning poet, and in this illuminating interview he tells Ratnaguna about his latest volume of poetry, After Cézanne.

Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about the nature of consciousness, and how this relates to the question of rebirth.

In this interview Ratnaguna asks guitarist Nick Gauntlett about his love of progressive rock music, and what it has to do with his Dharma practice.

Ratnaguna interviews Advayacitta about the importance and meaning of music in general, and in particular of the chanting of mantras.

In this interview Silavadin discusses the materialist view of evolution and, following the philosopher Thomas Nagel, proposes a different paradigm: that there is a cosmic predisposition to the formation of life, consciousness and value.

In this interview Ratnaguna interviews Jñanavaca on The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist, and finds out why he thinks it is a book well worth reading.