In conversation with Anam Thubten, a meditation teacher trained in the remote Golok region of eastern Tibet and now residing in the Bay Area, we explore the Buddhist concept of the Four Maras, or four devils. These are understood not as external negative forces but as mental states that, when perceived differently, can lead to greater mental freedom and reduced fear. Depending on one’s context and environment, these transformative perspectives can be incorporated into both religious and secular practices.

In dieser Folge spreche ich mit Susanne Krämer, die seit 2013 im Bereich Kommunikation am Zentrum für Lehrerbildung und Schulforschung der Universität Leipzig lehrt. Sie gibt spannende Einblicke in ihre Arbeit am von ihr entwickelten Mindful Student Programm und die Hintergünde von Achtsamkeit und Mitgefühl. Erfahren Sie mehr über ihre Erfahrungen und Ansätze, die Studierende in ihrer professionellen Entwicklung unterstützen. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf der Entwicklung eines Verständnises der Interdependenz zwischen den eigenenen Handlungen und der Umgebung.

In this discussion with Dr. Dan Hirshberg from the University of Colorado, Boulder, we explore how contemplative practices are integrated into the university’s curriculum. We focus on how these practices address students’ mental health and well-being, helping them manage stress and related challenges. At the same time, we examine the difficulties that arise when drawing from spiritual traditions, typically rooted in a soteriological context, and adapting them to an academic setting.

I am joined by Prof. Dr. Julia Stenzel from the Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Kathmandu to discuss the Buddhist concept of compassion, both in its modern and ancient forms. As this idea transfers from Indian and Tibetan traditions into Western perspectives, techniques and views are adapted to different practice environments. However, compassion is consistently regarded as an innate human quality.