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Redesigning the Dharma

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by Adrian Baker

5.0(8 reviews)

28 episodes

Updated Monthly

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Podcast Overview

Redesigning the Dharma (RTD) explores the evolution of contemplative practice from traditional models (Proprietary Dharma) to open sourced approaches to contemplative practice and Dharma communities. As an American expat who has lived in Thailand for over ten years, I’m interested in both how The Dharma is evolving in Western countries, as well as how Buddhist traditions and practices are evolving in more traditional contexts in Asia. While RTD has a clear Buddhist bent, it’s also for those interested in conversations between other contemplative traditions and Buddhism, as well as the dialogue between various traditions and schools within Buddhism. Finally, the podcast will also consider how to work with plant medicines such as Ayahuasca and Soma through Buddhist and contemplative perspectives. See all episodes at SahajaSoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma.

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Publishing Since

11/16/2021

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Recent Episodes

February 23, 2026

What Is the Role of Pilgrimage in Vajrayana Buddhism? with Dr. Ian Baker of The Vajra Path

Episode 27 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Dr. Ian Baker, an experienced scholar, explorer, and author specializing in Vajrayana Buddhism. They discuss Dr. Baker's transformative journey into pilgrimage, beginning with his initial exposure to Asian culture and Tibetan Buddhism during college.The conversation delves into the significance of pilgrimage in spiritual practice, including the concepts of outer, inner, and secret pilgrimage in the Tibetan tradition. Dr. Baker shares insights from his extensive experiences leading pilgrimages to sacred sites across the Himalayas, Bhutan, India, and beyond. They also explore contemporary pilgrimages, blending traditional practices with modern exploration, and the importance of cultivating a pilgrim’s mindset. Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ian Baker* 05:43 The Hidden Lands and Spiritual Practices* 08:48 Integrating Stillness and Movement* 15:38 The Concept of Outer, Inner, and Secret Pilgrimage* 26:50 Embracing Discomfort and Exploration* 32:42 The Hero's Journey and Ego Death* 34:14 Psychedelics, Religious Traditions, and Cultural Exchange On The Silk Road* 47:53 Pilgrim's Mindset vs. Tourist Mindset* 51:32 Mongolia vs Bhutan vs India & Upcoming OfferingsGuest Bio:Designated by the National Geographic Society as one of 7 “Explorers for the Millennium,” Ian Baker is an anthropologist, historian and author of multiple books on Tibetan and Himalayan art, culture and environment including The Heart of the World: A Journey to the Last Secret Place, Celestial Gallery, The Tibetan of Art of Healing, and The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple, a collaborative work with His Holiness The Dalai Lama that illuminates Tantric Buddhist meditation practices.He completed graduate work at the University of Oxford and received his PhD after extensive fieldwork in Myanmar among contemporary practitioners of Buddhist alchemy. He subsequently worked with tantric Buddhist adepts in Bhutan, leading to his critically acclaimed book, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices. Ian is an executive board member of Himalayan Consensus Institute (http://himalayanconsensus.org/) and serves internationally as a consultant and lecturer in environmental and cultural heritage conservation. From 2011 until 2016 he collaborated with London’s Wellcome Trust, curating an exhibition of Himalayan art entitled ‘Tibet’s Secret Temple: Body, Mind and Meditation in Tantric Buddhism’ (http://wellcomecollection.org/secrettemple) to which he also contributed texts, photography, and film.Ian leads pilgrimages and scheduled travel seminars in India, Tibet, and Bhutan with The Vajra Path, (https://www.thevajrapath.com/) Caravanza (https://www.acaravansa.com/), and on his own. He has also designed and conducted academic travel programs in Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal for Smithsonian Institution, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and National Geographic Society. Through the Hidden Lands Trust, he works actively to preserve indigenous cultures and ecosystems in the eastern Himalayas, based on local models of environmental conservation that ensure sustained benefit to local communities.DR. IAN BAKER’S WEBSITE (https://ianbakerjourneys.wordpress.com/)EXPLORE INNER AND OUTER JOURNEYS WITH THE VAJRA PATH (https://www.thevajrapath.com/)

November 24, 2025

How To Use Tibetan Buddhism To AWAKEN In Everyday Moments with Scott Tusa

Episode 26 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Scott Tusa, a Buddhist meditation teacher and former monk with 23 years of experience. They discuss Scott's journey from encountering Buddhism at age 19, to living as a Buddhist monk ordained by the 14th Dalai Lama, and later returning to householder life. Scott shares insights from his experiences, including the importance of integrating personal practice with teaching, and practical advice on navigating challenges with social media and modern life. They explore different Buddhist traditions and techniques for dealing with like and dislike, craving, and the importance of maintaining equanimity. Scott emphasizes the importance of continual self-honesty, the guidance of experienced teachers, and the role of somatic awareness in deepening one's practice. The episode ends with an overview of Scott’s meditation and buddhism mentoring offerings as well as a sneak peek at some of his courses on lojong (mind training) and mindful parenting.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Introduction to Scott Tusa* 01:57 Early Encounters with Buddhism & Journey to Monastic Life* 09:05 Challenges and Reflections on Monasticism* 19:46 Dharma and Awakening for Modern Practitioners* 34:12 Exploring Equanimity and Understanding Preferences and Boundaries* 46:59 Navigating Social Media and Modern* 54:42 Conclusion and Upcoming OfferingsGuest Bio:Scott Tusa is a Buddhist meditation teacher and practitioner who has spent the last 25 years exploring how to embody and live meaningfully through the Buddhist path.At age sixteen, his mother's death sparked a deep longing for healing and spiritual wisdom that eventually led him to Tibetan Buddhism. He spent my early twenties seeking out and learning from a variety of Tibetan Buddhist masters, and was ordained by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as a Buddhist monk at age twenty-eight. He spent the next nine years as a monk, deepening his understanding of the Dharma, engaging in solitary meditation retreats, and continuing his studies with teachers in India, Nepal, and the United States, including his main teachers Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Since 2008, he has been teaching Buddhist meditation in group and one-to-one settings in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and online, bringing Buddhist wisdom to modern meditators, helping them to deepen and develop more confidence in their practice.SCOTT TUSA’S WEBSITE (https://scotttusa.com/)MINDFUL PARENTING COURSE (https://www.mindfulparenting2025.com/)LOJONG COURSE ON TRICYCLE (https://learn.tricycle.org/p/training-the-mind)CONNECT WITH SCOTT ON SOCIAL (https://www.instagram.com/scotttusa/)

October 22, 2025

Awakening With Sacred Art & Pilgrimage with Tiffani Gyatso

Episode 25 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma features a conversation with Brazilian artist, Tiffani Gyatso, about her life and work in Tibetan Buddhist Thangka painting. Tiffani begins by sharing her fascinating journey, from her upbringing in a spiritual community in Brazil to her studies in sacred art and geometry. They discuss her studies at the Gandan Monastery in Mongolia and the Norbulingka Institute in India, as well as her contemporary art practices and sacred pilgrimages. The conversation delves into themes of spiritual anatomy, the power of imagination, and the intersection of art and spirituality. Tiffani also discusses her art retreats at Atelier YabYum in Brazil, her global pilgrimages, and the importance of embracing both duality and non-duality in spiritual practice.Episode Highlights:* 00:00 Introduction to Tiffany Gyatso* 04:56 Discovering & Training In Traditional Tibetan Thangka Art* 12:59 Expanding With Sacred Art and Geometry* 22:58 How Art Transforms Perception And Helps Open Consciousness* 34:45 The Power of Imagination And The Erotic in Buddhism* 41:31 Duality In Life, Art, and Buddhism* 49:50 How To Balance Conceptual and Experiential Learning* 58:30 The Value of Pilgrimage and Upcoming OfferingsGuest Bio:Tiffani Gyatso is a Brazilian artist born in 1981. She studied graphic design in Munich, Germany and later specialized in Thangka Painting (Tibetan Buddhist Art). She was introduced to sacred arts at the Gandam monastery in Mongolia and completed her studies at the Norbulingka Institute, in India (2003-06). In 2016/17/19 she enrolled in several courses in sacred geometry and Islamic patterns at the Prince School (PSTA) in London, UK.From 2007 to 2012 she undertook the large-scale project to paint a complete Tibetan temple (CEBB) in traditional form in south of Brazil. She teaches Thangka painting since 2006 all over Brazil and South America, opening in 2016 the first school and art retreat in Brazil dedicated to this art form, the Atelier YabYum. Alongside her traditional practice, Tiffani explores a more intuitive and contemplative artistic language in her contemporary work. Horses, symbols of vitality and freedom that have accompanied her since childhood, are the main inspiration behind her paintings. Her contemporary works have been exhibited in Brazil and New York.In 2015, she published Life and Thangka, and she continues to contribute writings to Buddhistdoor Global.Tiffani has been leading annual art pilgrimages to India and Tibet since 2013, and in 2017, she co-founded Mystic Art Retreats to make the practice more accessible.She works today at her studio Atelier YabYum at the inner state of São Paulo and teaches all over the country and South America. She lectures traditional Thangka painting and also gives Immersions on Creative art, self expressions and Art therapy groups which she developed based in body awareness, movement and contemplative arts.TIFFANI GYATSO’S WEBSITE (https://www.tiffanigyatso.net/)CONNECT WITH TIFFANI ON SOCIAL (https://www.instagram.com/tiffani_gyatso)EXPLORE MYSTIC ART RETREATS (https://www.mysticart.org/)

28 total episodes available

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What is Redesigning the Dharma?: Redesigning the Dharma (RTD) explores the evolution of contemplative practice from traditional models (Proprietary Dharma) to open sourced approaches to contemplative practice and Dharma communities. As an American expat who has lived in Thailand for over ten years, I’m interested in both how The Dharma is evolving in Western countries, as well as how Buddhist traditions and practices are evolving in more traditional contexts in Asia.

While RTD has a clear Buddhist bent, it’s also for those interested in conversations between other contemplative traditions and Buddhism, as well as the dialogue between various traditions and schools within Buddhism. Finally, the podcast will also consider how to work with plant medicines such as Ayahuasca and Soma through Buddhist and contemplative perspectives.

See all episodes at SahajaSoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates monthly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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