Learning from the networks of connection among trees and fungi, Trudy Goodman offers a dharma talk about nature, the breath, and oneness.

This 2016 recording is from Spirit Rock’s Fall Insight Meditation Retreat and was originally published on Dharmaseed.

In this episode, Trudy Goodman discusses:

• The fallacy of separate self and how we tend to forget our universal connection
• The matrix of identity that we create as we practice together
• Networks of connection in the natural world
• Inter-breathing and the web of connection via breath
• The breath as the bridge between our conscious and unconscious
• Taking the backward step, a practice in subtle relaxation and receiving the moment
• Allowing things to appear and disappear as the path to awakening
• Noticing our patterns of reaction as our body and breath anchor us
• Seeing the changing way of life and how it can flow through us and in us
• Finding freedom in the present moment
• Feeling more sane, little by little, through practice
• Tools for remembering our oneness

About Trudy Goodman:

Trudy is a Vipassana teacher in the Theravada lineage and the Founding Teacher of InsightLA. For 25 years, in Cambridge, MA, Trudy practiced mindfulness-based psychotherapy with children, teenagers, couples and individuals. Trudy conducts retreats, engages in activism work, and teaches workshops worldwide and online. She is also the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series, The Midnight Gospel. You can learn more about Trudy’s flourishing array of wonderful offerings at TrudyGoodman.com

“We are surrounded by these beautiful trees and plants, being so close to nature. I feel like they’re supporting, modeling, and showing us a way to be together here. We can experience this web in our own breath. We inter-breathe. We’re breathing not just each other's breath, but we’re breathing the breath of our ancestors. We’re breathing molecules that dinosaurs breathed, that the Buddha and his community breathed. We’re sharing air with all creatures really, and all those who came before us, all those who are currently in existence, and this breath will flow into all the future beings too.” – Trudy Goodman

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Talking about everything, everybody, nothing and nobody, David shares stories about Trungpa Rinpoche and Ram Dass from the 1970s to now.

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In this episode of the BHNN Guest Podcast, David and Jackie discuss:

• The first meeting of Ram Dass and Trungpa Rinpoche
• Seeing the ordinary magic of this reality
• David’s work with Krishna Das and receiving dream-messages
• Conjoining love and bliss with emptiness
• Ram Dass’ concept of ‘becoming nobody’
• Nihilism and negativity versus an empty openness
• David’s work with the Ram Dass Legacy treats in Maui
• Two different types of meditation (focus and discovery)
• Showing up for practice rather than doing it perfectly
• Love and surrender within the guru tradition and other forms of love
• How to respond to hate with love in these trying times
• Transforming anger and working with our emotions in a more productive way

Check out David Nichtern’s Meditation Teacher Training Course - registration extended to Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025: Learn More

About David Nichtern:

David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community.

About The Host, Jackie Dobrinska:

Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass’ Love, Serve, Remember Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass’ Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an inter-spiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves.

Photo via PerfectLazybones

“There’s passionate love, deep love of a friendship, playful love, love for everything. In our culture love has gotten confusing, especially romantic comedies. But, I think love doesn’t bend. It’s this deep, steadfast, force like gravity. That unconditional love that isn’t moved around by the wind.” – Jackie Dobrinska

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