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 Bring a little optimism into your life with The Bright Side, a new kind of daily podcast from Hello Sunshine, hosted by me, Danielle Robay.
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And me, Simone Boyce.
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Every weekday, we're bringing you conversations about culture, the latest trends, inspiration, and so much more.
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I am so excited about this podcast, The Bright Side.
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You guys are giving people a chance to shine a light on their lives, shine a light on a little advice that they want to share.
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Open your free iHeart app and search The Bright Side.
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Our episodes are packed with fun activities.
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Right, Elliot?
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Oh, yes.
0
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We went shape hunting around the block, and we found spheres and cubes on the street.
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That was great fun.
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Join Stories for Kids, the Lingokids podcast, inspiring you to learn while having fun.
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Listen to Stories for Kids on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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 This is the story of how a group of people brought music back to Afghanistan by creating their own version of American Idol.
0
SPEAKER_07
The joy they brought to the nation.
0
SPEAKER_03
You're free completely.
0
SPEAKER_03
No one is there to destroy you.
0
SPEAKER_07
The danger they endured.
0
SPEAKER_04
They said my head should be cut off.
0
SPEAKER_07
I'm John Legend.
0
SPEAKER_07
Listen to Afghan Star on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0
SPEAKER_00
 for several years.
0
SPEAKER_00
Meditation has really given me an entrance into this arena of a totally new paradigm of what love is, which scriptures describe as devotional service.
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Service without any selfish considerations.
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 I'm really excited about sharing this interview with all of you because I'm sitting with the one and only Goranga Das who inspired my whole monk journey, the person who individually captivated me so early on in my life when I was 18 years old and when I heard him speak and heard him speak many, many times and interact with different people.
0
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 invited me to spend some time in India and just inspired me on my whole spiritual journey and literally changed the trajectory of my life.
0
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Just simply meeting him for a week in London completely changed what I wanted to do and became my role model and inspiration in life and still is.
0
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And I'm excited that you finally get to hear from him and I get to ask him a few questions.
0
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So hopefully this is going to be a bit of fun as well.
0
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He's hilarious.
0
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So if he doesn't,
0
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 that out that he's just being respectful.
0
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But I'm really honored and humbled to be sitting with you.
0
SPEAKER_01
Thank you so much.
0
SPEAKER_01
Thank you so much, Jay, for welcoming me and speaking those words.
0
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I've been so grateful that I've had you in my life since I was 18 years old in so many different ways.
0
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And I can honestly say that you have been there for me at every stage of my life.
0
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 And I think that's a very special thing because I think so many of us today in the world are looking for mentors.
0
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And I'm so fortunate that I met one of my biggest mentors in life so early on.
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So I'd just like to honor you and share my gratitude and thank you.
0
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And thank you today for all of this help you've given us this week in allowing us to film the Eco Village.
0
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 I want to start with talking to you about how what people I've mentioned about you before, what I've spoken about you, that people may not have as a perception of monks.
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I think people often think of monks as either we know nothing about them, or we think maybe they're lazy and they don't want to do any work, or we think maybe they're uneducated and they didn't have another path, or maybe we think they were very religious growing up.
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 But when I met you, what I got fascinated by is that you didn't really fit into any of those categories.
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You were extremely educated.
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You are extremely educated.
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You come from a spiritual background, but it's not that you were a normal person at college growing up.
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I just want to hear a bit about how you decided that this path was right for you.
0
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 Because when I heard what you've done, I was so impressed that someone of your caliber who had everything that me and my friends were seeking, were able to give it up so easily for this life.
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So what brought you to this stage?
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Tell me about what you wanted to become growing up and then why you became this.
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Well, thanks, Jeff, for asking that question.
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Yes, it's true that as I was in IIT,
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 I did not have this idea of becoming a monk, but I came across a few incidents and those were some of the turning points in my life.
0
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One of my friends who was pretty well-to-do in terms of education and studies, he once attempted a suicide.
0
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 And that really shook me up.
0
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And then for the first time, I started understanding that life is much more than just achievements.
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But there is also a feeling of experience which each one of us is processing from within.
0
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So we are improving technology.
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We are improving systems.
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But what about the human experience which is happening behind those systems and behind those machines?
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 On the other hand, I also found that in my class, there were some other students who had failed in quite a few subjects, but they were not at all affected, and they were going around the campus as if nothing has happened.
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So I was pretty bewildered because I thought those were the ones who should be in anxiety.
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And when I asked them, they would respond by saying that our philosophy in life is simple.
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To enter the college is our job.
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To take us out of the college is college's job.
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So why should we be worried?
0
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 So I realized that beyond all the various externals, technologies, systems that talk about GDP and everything, there is something which is not described in great detail in any of our textbooks.
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And that is the perceptions and the experiences which each one of us have as a soul.
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And that really made me
0
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 to seek answers in books which are beyond the regular ones.
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And then I came across the Bhagavad Gita.
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And then I started getting answers to one of the most important principles in life.
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Circumstances are beyond our control.
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And we have limited control over our circumstances.
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 but we have unlimited control over our consciousness.
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And therefore, I thought that was pretty deep.
0
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When an airplane flies, it takes off.
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And as soon as it takes off, you see the same buildings look pretty insignificant.
0
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So we may not have control over the size of the buildings, but we have control over
0
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 how high we can go.
0
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And similarly, problems in life may not diminish, but our consciousness can rise much above those so-called problems so that the entire perspective changes.
0
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So when I read the Gita, I realized that one of the core principles to remain enthusiastic, positive, full of enthusiasm and energy in your whole life is the flexibility and the agility with which
0
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 you can choose different lenses at any particular given moment because sometimes a lens can make an object look very tiny and another lens can make the same object look
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 very huge and appear to be extremely close to your eyes.
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And there are other lenses which do not magnify at all.
0
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So therefore, depending on the situation and circumstance, how can we choose those lenses is something which is described in great detail in the ancient Vedic wisdom.
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And I got drawn to that.
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I started reading it.
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 And I didn't realize that my journey will take me one day to London so that our paths cross.
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Yeah, that's so beautifully explained.
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And thank you for sharing that, because I think so many people who will be listening and watching today, so many of them may have that experience at college, too, that people are facing so much stress and anxiety.
0
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People are trying to become something that they don't want to be, but maybe their parents want them to be, or maybe their friends or their
0
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 Peers think that that is what success is in society.
0
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How did you, when you decided to become a monk, I'm guessing that not everyone around you was celebrating.
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Like it may have been a tough choice or a tough decision.
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How were you able to make this tough step?
0
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Because even if people are not becoming monks, everyone sometimes has to make choices in life.
0
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 where people around you may not agree.
0
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And how were you able to do that?
0
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And I know you do that now as well in your work.
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So many times you're having to make tough decisions where everyone may not agree with you.
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How did you do that in the first instance of becoming a mom?
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Well, to be honest, I was also not very sure whether I would be able to sustain this path because
0
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 Practically nobody in my family has ever done it before.
0
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And I was thinking, how will society respond to this, and whether I'm making the right decision?
0
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And I was thinking, how should I process this moving forward?
0
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But then an incident happened, which completely changed my perspective.
0
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 I was on the road traveling with one other senior monk.
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He was driving me.
0
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And we were on the highway.
0
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And this was November of 1993.
0
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And then as we were moving on the highway, our vehicle hit against another truck.
0
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And there was an accident on the highway.
0
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And our car got badly smashed.
0
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 Luckily, in spite of being injured quite heavily, I survived.
0
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It was a very transformative moment for me because I saw my whole body filled with blood.
0
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And the doctor spent practically five to six hours in the operation theater taking out the glass pieces which had entered into my body.
0
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And then as I was recovering, I started contemplating.
0
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 that, well, as far as my life is concerned, even an inch here or there would have been the end of my life.
0
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And I'm only 22, and I could as well be dead by now.
0
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But it looks like I've been given another chance.
0
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So whether someone in society or anyone else connected
0
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 whatever may be their feelings or background, whatever their responses may be, today, I am alive and I've been given a second chance.
0
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Let me use this second chance to do something great to serve others.
0
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 And therefore, I decided that I will use this opportunity, every breath which has been given to me back as a second chance, as an opportunity to share and spread this message which has benefited me so much.
0
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So there are moments like this where you are practically hopeless.
0
SPEAKER_00
 And then a small window of hope opens up, and then you see everything from a different perspective.
0
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So for me, it was that moment which gave me that conviction to sustain this determination for a lifetime.
0
SPEAKER_09
 When you find that bright spot to help you get through your day, it's powerful.
0
SPEAKER_08
That's where The Bright Side comes in.
0
SPEAKER_08
A new daily podcast from Hello Sunshine that's bringing you a daily dose of joy.
0
SPEAKER_08
I'm Danielle Robay.
0
SPEAKER_08
And I'm Simone Boyce.
0
SPEAKER_09
Listen, both Danielle and I are reporters.
0
SPEAKER_09
We've covered the news and we know the world can feel heavy, but The Bright Side podcast is a space to have a little fun, to learn something new and get into some friendly debates.
0
SPEAKER_08
 That's right, join us five days a week to see how life can look from the bright side.
0
SPEAKER_08
We'll hear from celebrities, authors, experts, and listeners like you.
0
SPEAKER_09
Whether it's relationships, friend advice, or figuring out how to navigate life's transitions, we'll talk through it all together.
0
SPEAKER_08
Listen to The Bright Side from Hello Sunshine every weekday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0
SPEAKER_07
 When the Taliban banned music in Afghanistan, millions were plunged into silence.
0
SPEAKER_07
Radios were smashed.
0
SPEAKER_07
Cassettes burned.
0
SPEAKER_07
You could be beaten or jailed or killed for breaking the rules.
0
SPEAKER_07
And yet, Afghans did it anyway.
0
SPEAKER_07
This is the story of how a group of people brought music back to Afghanistan by creating their own version of American Idol.
0
SPEAKER_07
 The danger they endured.
0
SPEAKER_04
They said my head should be cut off.
0
SPEAKER_07
The joy they brought to the nation.
0
SPEAKER_03
You're free completely.
0
SPEAKER_03
No one is there to destroy you.
0
SPEAKER_07
I'm John Legend.
0
SPEAKER_07
Listen to Afghan Star on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0
SPEAKER_10
 Parents, ready to discover a new educational and interactive podcast for kids?
0
SPEAKER_10
Join Stories for Kids by Lingokids, where episodes are packed with fun activities.
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Right, Elliot?
0
SPEAKER_11
Oh, yes!
0
SPEAKER_11
We learned how to recycle at the beach.
0
SPEAKER_11
 That was great fun!
0
SPEAKER_11
Cowie, what do you say?
0
SPEAKER_11
It was!
0
SPEAKER_11
And that time when we did the science experiment and Billy made raisins dance!
0
SPEAKER_11
That is so cool, Billy!
0
SPEAKER_10
He did!
0
SPEAKER_10
Not to mention when a certain Elliot took up swimming classes with Lisa.
0
SPEAKER_11
That was me!
0
SPEAKER_10
Bet you can't catch me!
0
SPEAKER_10
I'm going to get you!
0
SPEAKER_10
 All this fun and more in our Stories for Kids.
0
SPEAKER_10
Lingo Kids Stories for Kids is now available on Story Button, the kid-friendly device for screenless podcast listening.
0
SPEAKER_10
Listen to Stories for Kids on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0
SPEAKER_02
 I love that.
0
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I think we all have such similar moments in our life, whether they're near-death experiences like yours, maybe not as extreme, but I think everyone who's listening and watching right now can relate to the fact that we all get these choices in life.
0
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Sometimes it's a second chance, sometimes it's an opening or an opportunity, and we, at that point, have a choice to make.
0
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 whether we want to carry on living unconsciously and without thought or without purpose or whether we want to live with deeper meaning and purpose like you chose.
0
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And I mean, you've really lived up to that because I remember when I met you and even now, like today we're sitting in an eco village that of course there's been a community behind, but you've led the development of, there's the incredible food distribution work.
0
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 You've definitely been involved in spearheading the incredible work that's happening with the community in Mumbai.
0
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You've been a part of affecting
0
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 thousands and thousands and millions of lives and I think you've definitely lived up to that incredible commitment that you took on.
0
SPEAKER_00
Thank you, thank you so much.
0
SPEAKER_02
It's really special actually because I think that it's one thing to say those things but to actually authentically live up to it and I can see you're always challenging yourself to the next level and I guess that's what I love about our path of being a monk is that
0
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 And I was speaking about this with Radha and Swami too, that we have self and service.
0
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So you have your own personal meditation, you have your own personal prayer and your sadhana and your practices, and then you're going and
0
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 Right.
0
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And I feel like you've found a way of using all your talents in service of humanity.
0
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So it's not that you became a monk and thought, OK, now I need to let go of this.
0
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You've actually believed that the gifts that you've been given or the talents you've been given can actually be used to help serve the world, which I think is a really important thing.
0
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Could you share a bit on that?
0
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Sure.
0
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And why that's important.
0
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That's a beautiful question.
0
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The word monk.
0
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 In the Christian tradition, it comes from the root word in Latin, monchos, which basically means solitude.
0
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And typically, monks would contemplate in solitude.
0
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But there are several monks who would also engage in community work.
0
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 In the Buddhist tradition, the monks are known as bhikkhu or bhikshu.
0
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It has two meanings.
0
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One is beggar.
0
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Second is bhayam ikkhati iti bhikkhu, which means one who is able to see and perceive danger.
0
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 And that's a very interesting definition because monks were those who would lead their life understanding the knowledge and protect themselves and people from the danger of ignorance.
0
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In the Hindu tradition, monks are known as sannyasis.
0
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Sannyasi word consists of three parts, sam plus ni plus asa.
0
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 So sam means totally, ni means to go down, and asa means to uproot.
0
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So sannyasi basically means one who is dedicating himself to completely uproot, go down and uproot all the negativities and negative desires from within.
0
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He does that for himself, and he helps others also in their journey.
0
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 Another word in Sanskrit for monk is vairagi.
0
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And that also comes from a very beautiful tapestry of syllables.
0
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Vi and raga.
0
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So vi means without and raga means attachment.
0
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Without attachment.
0
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 and another meaning is vi plus ranj plus bhan, which means without colour.
0
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So that is a very interesting definition which very much correlates to the question you are asking, which means that a sannyasi or a vairagi or a renunciant or a monk is one
0
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 who can be fully engaged in productive activities, which has a benefit to society, but remains uncolored by any of that.
0
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He remains unaffected.
0
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So that is one of the interesting perspectives of vairagya or renunciation.
0
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Therefore, one of the core principles in the renounced order is
0
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 Absorption.
0
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Absorption I would divide in two important elements.
0
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One is the intention, and second is action.
0
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Intention towards selfless service.
0
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Intention towards tireless service, and intention towards pleasing selflessly.
0
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So the two elements are intention and action.
0
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 Monkhood is all about how we can selflessly please others and how we can tirelessly serve others.
0
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So the combination of this intention of selfless pleasing and tireless serving, it combines into giving an experience of total absorption.
0
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 And that absorption is something which then expands in the form of compassion.
0
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And we include everyone else within that expanding circle of compassion and round the whole world in peace and harmony.
0
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Now you can see why I think it's amazing.
0
SPEAKER_02
That was brilliant.
0
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 the definition of monk in different traditions.
0
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I think that's incredible to hear that.
0
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And I think that's what I find so special about this path is that it allows the ability to serve as well, not just to live in solitude.
0
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And that's why my next question is, I've written my book called Think Like a Monk.
0
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 And the reason why I called it that is because I believe that you don't have to necessarily live like a monk to think like one, that it is a beautiful opportunity if you can.
0
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But we both know that for 99.9% of the world, it's not going to be something that people are going to do.
0
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But I really believe that the mindset that a monk is encouraged to cultivate of service, of self-growth, of
0
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 removing unwanted negative tendencies and implications.
0
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These are things that anyone can do.
0
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And in one sense, we all must do to live a peaceful and purposeful life.
0
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So I'd love to hear from you what you think thinking like a monk, in your opinion, is relevant for the modern people and modern world and for people like me now who also live in the city, have normal jobs, are married.
0
SPEAKER_02
How does thinking like a monk actually help that person?
0
SPEAKER_00
Bhagavad Gita describes
0
SPEAKER_00
 four principles which are extremely important for us to follow.
0
SPEAKER_00
One of the greatest challenges in remaining grounded in life is our inability to tolerate provoking situations.
0
SPEAKER_00
Whether one is a monk, or one is in household life, or in a corporate life,
0
SPEAKER_00
 any kind of a relationship or doing any kind of activity or occupation, we are constantly being provoked.
0
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And therefore, Gita first talks about what is known as vega sahishnuta, which means we have to tolerate our urges.
0
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So I would say tolerating our urge to consume.
0
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The second principle is dvandva sahishnuta.
0
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 Dwandwa refers to duality.
0
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We have to tolerate various dualities which come in our life and remain humble and aware of the fact that we cannot control our situations.
0
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So therefore, we have to tolerate the urge to control.
0
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Third is Paramat Sahishnata.
0
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 We are so convinced about our opinions and our standpoint and our viewpoint that we want others also to buy into that.
0
SPEAKER_00
So many arguments, differences of opinion happen, relationships break down because we have a strong urge to convince others.
0
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So we have to tolerate that urge to convince others in certain situations.
0
SPEAKER_00
 And the fourth is the urge to compete.
0
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And that is known as parotkarsha sahishnuta.
0
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Certain people will do much better than us in so many different ways.
0
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We should feel happy when we see that.
0
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And remember that we have a role to play.
0
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And we should resist the temptation and the urge to compete.
0
SPEAKER_00
 So Gita focuses on how to elevate one's consciousness above these urges to control, to convince, to compete.
0
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And then we are actually able to rise above all of these and realize that, yes, I have a role to play.
0
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 to serve each and everyone in society to the best of my ability.
0
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, people who are engaged in society are in anxiety because many times they are trying to compare with others.
0
SPEAKER_00
And this comparison is a huge cancer of the mind.
0
SPEAKER_00
Today, every single day in India, 371 people commit suicide.
0
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 Every day, every single day, 300 million people across the world are experiencing mental health disorders.
0
SPEAKER_00
Every single day, 18 billion cigarettes are being smoked.
0
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6.75 trillion cigarettes smoked every year.
0
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One billion people across the world experiencing addiction to cigarette smoking and unable to give up.
0
SPEAKER_00
 So practically, each one of us have our internal challenges.
0
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, Gita focuses on first managing oneself, and then based on how we manage ourselves, we can manage others.
0
SPEAKER_00
And in my own experience, I have found that when people, irrespective of whatever occupation and profession they may be, when they cannot control these urges,
0
SPEAKER_00
 to consume, to control, to convince, to compete, then invariably they land up in so many difficulties, so many challenges.
0
SPEAKER_00
Social issues may not be described.
0
SPEAKER_00
Emotional issues may not be described.
0
SPEAKER_00
Personal issues may not be described in books of technology and management.
0
SPEAKER_00
But all of those issues have a major role to play in our overall experience as individuals.
0
SPEAKER_00
 and in our contribution to society.
0
SPEAKER_00
For example, the word family may not pop up anywhere in your management books or in your technology books.
0
SPEAKER_00
But today,
1
SPEAKER_00
 Because of a lack of emphasis on family values and because of inability for people to control their urges, so many differences of opinion are cropping up.
1
SPEAKER_00
A country like Luxembourg has a divorce rate of 87%.
1
SPEAKER_00
Spain has a divorce rate of 65%.
1
SPEAKER_00
 France has a divorce rate of 55%, Russia 51%, America has a divorce rate of 46%, the global divorce rate is 44%.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, it's very important for us to realize that there may not be much focus on instilling values in individuals and institutions as families.
1
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But if you do not focus and emphasize and invest in something,
1
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 In due course of time, you'll lose it.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, it was not empty rhetoric when people would say, a family which prays together, stays together.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, it's very important for us to introspect which way we are going as a society.
1
SPEAKER_00
 How much are all these values crucial and critical for self-conservation and conserving relationships in society, conserving mental health and sanity in society?
1
SPEAKER_00
Because sometimes we may just think that these are not irrelevant because you cannot connect a dollar value to these values.
1
SPEAKER_03
 Hey everyone, this is Molly and Matt and we're the hosts of Grown Up Stuff How to Adult, a podcast from Ruby Studio and iHeart Podcasts.
1
SPEAKER_04
It's a show dedicated to helping you figure out the trickiest parts of adulting.
1
SPEAKER_03
Like how to start planning for retirement, creating a healthy skincare routine, understanding when and how much to tip someone, and so much more.
1
SPEAKER_04
 We're back with season two of the podcast, which means more opportunities to glow up and become a more responsible and better adult, one life lesson at a time.
1
SPEAKER_03
And let me just tell you, this show is just as much for us as it is for you.
1
SPEAKER_03
So let's figure this stuff out together.
1
SPEAKER_03
This season, we're going to talk about whether or not we're financially and emotionally ready for dog ownership.
1
SPEAKER_04
 We're going to figure out the benefits of a high yield savings account.
1
SPEAKER_03
And what exactly are the duties of being a member of the wedding party?
1
SPEAKER_04
All that plus so much more.
1
SPEAKER_03
Let's learn about all of it and then some.
1
SPEAKER_03
Listen to Grown Up Stuff How to Adult on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1
SPEAKER_02
 A new season of Bridgerton is here.
1
SPEAKER_02
And with it, a new season of Bridgerton, the official podcast.
1
SPEAKER_02
I'm your host, Gabrielle Collins.
1
SPEAKER_02
And this season, we are bringing fans even deeper into the ton.
1
SPEAKER_02
Colin Bridgerton has returned from his travels abroad.
1
SPEAKER_02
Is Betrothal written in the stars for the eligible bachelor?
1
SPEAKER_02
 Meanwhile, the ton is reverberating with speculation of who holds Lady Whistledown's pen.
1
SPEAKER_02
We're discussing it all.
1
SPEAKER_02
I sit down with Nicola Coughlin, Luke Newton, Shonda Rhimes, and more to offer an exclusive peek behind the scenes of each episode of the new season.
1
SPEAKER_02
 Watch season three of the Shondaland series on Netflix.
1
SPEAKER_02
Then fall in love all over again by listening to Bridgerton, the official podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1
SPEAKER_02
Subscribe to catch a new episode every Thursday.
1
SPEAKER_05
Guess what, Bango?
1
SPEAKER_05
What's up, Will?
1
SPEAKER_05
So iHeart is giving us a whole minute to promote our podcast, Part-Time Genius.
1
SPEAKER_06
 I know, that's why I spent my whole week composing a haiku for the occasion.
1
SPEAKER_06
It's about my emotional journey in podcasting over the last seven years, and it's called Earthquake House.
1
SPEAKER_05
Mango, I'm going to cut you off right there.
1
SPEAKER_06
Why don't we just tell people about our show instead?
1
SPEAKER_06
Yeah, that's a better idea.
1
SPEAKER_06
So every week on Part-Time Genius, we feed our curiosity by answering the world's most important questions.
1
SPEAKER_06
Things like, when did America start dialing 911?
1
SPEAKER_06
Is William Shatner's best acting work in Esperanto?
1
SPEAKER_06
Also, what happened to Esperanto?
1
SPEAKER_05
 Plus, we cover questions like how Chinese is your Chinese food?
1
SPEAKER_05
How do dollar stores stay in business?
1
SPEAKER_05
And of course, is there an Illuminati of cheese?
1
SPEAKER_05
There absolutely is.
1
SPEAKER_06
And we are risking our lives by talking about it.
1
SPEAKER_06
But if you love mind-blowing facts, incredible history, and really bad jokes, make your brains happy and tune in to Part-Time Genius.
1
SPEAKER_05
Listen to Part-Time Genius on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
1
SPEAKER_01
Absolutely.
1
SPEAKER_01
Yeah.
1
SPEAKER_01
No, that's a fantastic answer because
1
SPEAKER_01
 I think that's the key thing that's missing, that we live in a world that believes if you actually chase the satisfaction of your urges, then that is freedom.
1
SPEAKER_01
 that real success is actually following your urges or whatever urge you have.
1
SPEAKER_01
If you want to compete with someone, compete.
1
SPEAKER_01
If you want to compare with someone, compare.
1
SPEAKER_01
If you want to say anything about someone, you can say it.
1
SPEAKER_01
And we see that as freedom.
1
SPEAKER_01
But actually, what you're suggesting and what the text is suggesting is that we actually gain real freedom when we don't need to do those things and we don't feel the need to do those things.
1
SPEAKER_01
 So on that point, let's extrapolate that because I think that's a really powerful point.
1
SPEAKER_01
What is the beginning of the step-by-step process?
1
SPEAKER_01
 to create self-control because I think we see self-control as such a negative thing because it's seen as restrictive or it's seen as like almost being imprisoned, but actually we're imprisoned by our desires.
1
SPEAKER_01
But that's still a, it's like a massive paradigm shift for a lot of individuals today and even for myself when I first met you and I first came to this.
1
SPEAKER_01
So explain why actually freedom comes from controlling your urges.
1
SPEAKER_00
 The Gita says, This is a beautiful verse where Krishna says that freedom
1
SPEAKER_00
 from all of our base desires comes when we are able to control our mind and follow a strict discipline of applying ourselves to follow a certain regimen.
1
SPEAKER_00
The word used is regulative principles of freedom.
1
SPEAKER_00
 It may sound contradictory, because self-control or discipline seems to have a connotation of being bound as a prisoner.
1
SPEAKER_00
But I'll give two examples.
1
SPEAKER_00
One, if someone is flying a kite, the question is, is the rope binding the movement of the kite?
1
SPEAKER_00
Or the rope becomes an instrument for helping the kite fly higher?
1
SPEAKER_00
 So if someone says, why is the kite bound?
1
SPEAKER_00
Let us cut the rope.
1
SPEAKER_00
So the kite may fly for some time, but then again it will crash.
1
SPEAKER_00
So the rope is binding the kite, but the rope should not be seen as limiting the movement of the kite, but facilitating the upliftment of the kite.
1
SPEAKER_00
Similarly, if you're caught in a traffic jam, you cannot move.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And sometimes when the signals don't work, or if the policeman is not there in sight, then there may be a huge traffic jam.
1
SPEAKER_00
But actually, the traffic laws and the signals facilitate proper movement of the vehicles.
1
SPEAKER_00
So it is not to be seen as limiting, but facilitating.
1
SPEAKER_00
Therefore, when we look at discipline,
1
SPEAKER_00
 Discipline is something which enables us to experience greater freedom.
1
SPEAKER_00
And that's what the Bhagavad Gita is talking about, the art of self-control, the art of mind control.
1
SPEAKER_00
And by practicing this, each one of us will actually experience an enhancement of our consciousness.
1
SPEAKER_01
And I think we've all experienced that.
1
SPEAKER_01
I think everyone knows that when you
1
SPEAKER_01
 You feel like you're letting loose in the beginning.
1
SPEAKER_01
It feels good in the beginning.
1
SPEAKER_01
But then after a bit of time, it starts to feel really painful.
1
SPEAKER_00
Yeah.
1
SPEAKER_00
Like, for example, when the British were in India, they saw that at one point of time, maybe a century ago, the cobra population in Delhi was increasing.
1
SPEAKER_00
So they made a ruling.
1
SPEAKER_00
 in order to control the cobra population, if anyone gets a dead cobra and submits to the government office, they'll get a financial reward.
1
SPEAKER_00
And they thought by announcing this, people would go out, get inspired to kill cobras, and the cobra population would be controlled.
1
SPEAKER_00
But then quite a few people got inspired to rear cobra farms.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And they started rearing cobra snakes in farms around Delhi.
1
SPEAKER_00
The cobra population started increasing.
1
SPEAKER_00
When the government realized that, they scrapped the scheme.
1
SPEAKER_00
The guys who were rearing the cobras became angry, released the cobras in the city.
1
SPEAKER_01
No way.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, this is known as the cobra effect.
1
SPEAKER_01
Oh, wow.
1
SPEAKER_00
Where the proposed solution of a problem is worse than the original problem.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And therefore, people are in distress, they are depressed, they are unhappy, and they decide, let me consume alcohol, let me take drugs, let me do this, let me do that.
1
SPEAKER_00
So various momentary titillations, which they provide to their mind and their senses, may sometimes increase and enhance the problem, then solve it.
1
SPEAKER_00
 Therefore, the submission is, try to understand how the system is designed.
1
SPEAKER_00
Understand how these issues can be resolved in the best possible way within the design.
1
SPEAKER_00
And if there is a computer, it has a hard disk.
1
SPEAKER_00
If the hard disk gets a virus, then the computer just crashes.
1
SPEAKER_00
However beautiful the screen may look, but the hard disk is corrupted.
1
SPEAKER_00
 Similarly, people invest a lot of time and energy building their body, building their physique, keeping themselves physically fit.
1
SPEAKER_00
But they fail to realize that a very important component of our system is the mind.
1
SPEAKER_00
And mind is like the hard disk for this computer-like body.
1
SPEAKER_00
And if sufficient investment is not made to keep the mind fit,
1
SPEAKER_00
 then in due course of time, one will be overwhelmed with negativities.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, this kind of mental fitness is what is known as meditation.
1
SPEAKER_00
So meditation is the gym where you actually perform various kinds of exercises to keep the mind fit.
1
SPEAKER_01
 After all these years of meditating for so many hours per day and leading so many other meditation workshops yourself, what would you say for you has been the greatest gift that meditation has given you personally?
1
SPEAKER_00
Everybody is looking for love.
1
SPEAKER_00
Many people think love is all about pleasure.
1
SPEAKER_00
 But in response to your question on meditation, the greatest gift which meditation has bestowed upon me is a proper understanding of what is love.
1
SPEAKER_00
And I realized that love is about pain and not pleasure.
1
SPEAKER_00
In the Chaitanya Charita Amrit, there is a beautiful description which defines love.
1
SPEAKER_00
 In this it is described that in every relationship there could be various problems.
1
SPEAKER_00
Scarcity, impediment, discomfort, unhappiness, change,
1
SPEAKER_00
 Uncertainty, lack of reciprocation, and separation, all of these may happen in a relationship.
1
SPEAKER_00
But if the relationship continues, then that is defined as love.
1
SPEAKER_00
And as I described before, how to please selflessly the object of your love, and how to serve tirelessly.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And so, in my experience, love is something which is extremely rare, extremely valuable, and extremely difficult to process unless we are willing to put ourselves through a system of purification.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And then when we purify ourselves, then lust which is like iron transforms into love which is like gold.
1
SPEAKER_00
So in my experience for several years, meditation has really given me an entrance into this arena
1
SPEAKER_00
 of a totally new paradigm of what love is, which scriptures describe as devotional service.
1
SPEAKER_00
Service without any selfish considerations.
1
SPEAKER_00
I share this example that when we began our Govinda's restaurant in our Chowpatty temple many years ago,
1
SPEAKER_00
 we decided that we will have pizza.
1
SPEAKER_00
And it was Radhanath Swami's idea to have pizza.
1
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This was 2004.
1
SPEAKER_00
And we were not really experienced in making pizzas.
1
SPEAKER_00
And some of us used to make our own version of pizza, which was, you know, take a couple of loaves of bread and put some tomato ketchup and have some fried vegetables.
1
SPEAKER_00
And it was what we would call as pizza.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And we thought, that is it.
1
SPEAKER_00
So when Maharaj said we should have pizza, I mentioned to him, I don't think this is an item which we can sell in a restaurant.
1
SPEAKER_00
And he looked at me and said, which pizza are you referring to?
1
SPEAKER_00
The one which you guys feed me?
1
SPEAKER_00
I said, that's what pizza we know.
1
SPEAKER_00
And he looked at me and said, that which you feed me is not pizza.
1
SPEAKER_00
It's a perverted reflection of pizza.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And then we had someone come from New York, and he gave us the entire recipe of an authentic Italian New York pizza, thin crust.
1
SPEAKER_00
And for the first time in life, I saw artichoke hearts.
1
SPEAKER_00
And I didn't know any of this, and I was initiated into appreciating what a pizza is.
1
SPEAKER_00
So the word pizza was being used by us, but the experience was something else.
1
SPEAKER_00
 The word pizza remained the same, but we were ascribing or superimposing the word pizza on some other product which was giving a different experience.
1
SPEAKER_00
The whole world is speaking about love.
1
SPEAKER_00
Songs are being sung by movie actors and actresses and singers and rock stars about love.
1
SPEAKER_00
 Novels are being sold in the millions, which are centered around the theme of love.
1
SPEAKER_00
But all of these descriptions are referring to an experience of selfish personal pleasure, whereas the description as given in the Vedic scriptures
1
SPEAKER_00
 is love means service without selfish consideration.
1
SPEAKER_00
So this has been the greatest revelation as far as meditation is concerned for me in my own life and my journey with Radhanath Swami and my other monks.
1
SPEAKER_01
Amazing.
1
SPEAKER_01
People often question
1
SPEAKER_01
 And I want to hear your perspective on that, because I'm sure people have said to you, how can anything be selfless?
1
SPEAKER_01
Because if I know that it's good for me to do service and I'm serving, then it's not selfless.
1
SPEAKER_01
So how do you respond to that?
1
SPEAKER_00
The soul by nature is designed to serve.
1
SPEAKER_00
So sugar by nature is sweet, and water by nature is liquid.
1
SPEAKER_00
 So when we perform an activity and function which is as per nature and as how it has been designed, one experiences harmony and that harmony produces the greatest efficiency.
1
SPEAKER_00
And so the soul by nature is designed to serve when we engage in serving and pleasing
1
SPEAKER_00
 That effect of serving and pleasing, it actually produces the greatest joy from within.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, there are four levels of motivation.
1
SPEAKER_00
And that's what has kept me going in my 30 years as a monk.
1
SPEAKER_00
The lowest level is motivation by desire.
1
SPEAKER_00
The lowest level is motivation by fear.
1
SPEAKER_00
 The next is motivation by desire.
1
SPEAKER_00
Above that is motivation by the sense of duty.
1
SPEAKER_00
And the highest is to be motivated by the sense of love.
1
SPEAKER_00
So if you analyze all these four levels, you will see actions motivated by fear and desire is simply a transaction.
1
SPEAKER_00
 Actions motivated by duty may result in transparency, but it is only actions inspired by love which takes us to trance.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, we have to decide, do we want to lead a life based on transaction, or do we want to lead a life based on trance?
1
SPEAKER_00
 And so again, referring to the Chaitanya Charitamrita, I quote, Madhavendra Puri, a great saint, he indulged in very hard work to get
1
SPEAKER_00
 Madhavendra Puri, a great saint, he actually got a whole load of sandalwood to please his worshipable Lord Gopal.
1
SPEAKER_00
And in that process, he experienced so many impediments and difficulties.
1
SPEAKER_00
But this verse reveals that ānanda badhila māne, dukkha na ganila.
1
SPEAKER_00
His bliss increased.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And he did not consider that in any way, shape, or form to be creating any distress for him.
1
SPEAKER_00
And a very important word is used, dukkhana ganila.
1
SPEAKER_00
Ganila basically means count, to keep an account.
1
SPEAKER_00
When we keep an account, it is a business transaction.
1
SPEAKER_00
When we are serious about something, when we mean business, we keep account.
1
SPEAKER_00
 If I lend money to someone, and if I am running a business, so I keep account of how much I've earned, how much I've spent.
1
SPEAKER_00
If someone is intent upon losing weight, they count their calories.
1
SPEAKER_00
So whenever there is seriousness and business-like dealing, the principle of keeping account comes.
1
SPEAKER_00
Dukh na ganila means,
1
SPEAKER_00
 Is our relationship a business-like transaction, where I keep account of how much I have done for you and how much distress I have gone through and how many difficulties I have gone through in this relationship?
1
SPEAKER_00
If I keep account of that, then it is a business-like relationship.
1
SPEAKER_00
When a child is screaming in the middle of the night,
1
SPEAKER_00
 the mother spontaneously gets up to pacify the child.
1
SPEAKER_00
The mother never tells other people in the family, I am not on night shift, or I don't have overtime.
1
SPEAKER_00
How much will you pay?
1
SPEAKER_00
No, because she's just concerned out of a principle of selfless service to the child.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, in a relationship inspired by love,
1
SPEAKER_00
 One is in trance, because we do not keep count of what difficulties we have to go through in that relationship, because we are simply concerned with pleasing the other person.
1
SPEAKER_00
And I believe that when I have led my life in this particular capacity as a monk,
1
SPEAKER_00
 It has been keeping in mind a higher principle.
1
SPEAKER_00
A soldier fights to protect others' home and hearth.
1
SPEAKER_00
A monk fights to protect others' hopes.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, when people go to a pharmacy shop, they know they'll get medicine.
1
SPEAKER_00
When they go to a bookstore, they know they'll get a book.
1
SPEAKER_00
 When they come to a spiritual place where such spiritual discussions are going on, why are they coming?
1
SPEAKER_00
Why are they listening to you?
1
SPEAKER_00
Why are they connecting with anything from any of our traditions?
1
SPEAKER_00
Because they are coming to receive hope.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, people may think, wealth is my greatest asset.
1
SPEAKER_00
Position is my greatest asset.
1
SPEAKER_00
 Good looks are my greatest asset.
1
SPEAKER_00
Political influence is my greatest asset.
1
SPEAKER_00
Social acceptance is my greatest asset.
1
SPEAKER_00
But all of these are assets which can be finished and destroyed at any moment.
1
SPEAKER_00
As per Bhagavad Gita, the greatest asset is our hope.
1
SPEAKER_00
If someone has hope, even if he loses all the other things,
1
SPEAKER_00
 he can still, in due course of time, do his best.
1
SPEAKER_00
And therefore, these kind of discussions evoke growth of the most important asset which each one of us have, the power and the ability to hope.
1
SPEAKER_01
 Absolutely.
1
SPEAKER_01
That's yeah, that's an amazing perspective and looking in that way.
1
SPEAKER_01
I'm going to shift the conversation slightly.
1
SPEAKER_01
So hopefully, this will be fun for all of you.
1
SPEAKER_01
I wanted to ask Gaurav Ida some questions about our relationship, because he's known me since I was 18 years old.
1
SPEAKER_01
I'm 32 now.
1
SPEAKER_01
So it's been a fair amount of time.
1
SPEAKER_01
 and we've spent a lot of quality time together in that time.
1
SPEAKER_01
So I wanted to ask him a few questions.
1
SPEAKER_01
So my first question was, and I want you to be honest, you have to be honest.
1
SPEAKER_01
No, you don't have to sugarcoat.
1
SPEAKER_01
What was the first thing you thought of me when we first met?
1
SPEAKER_01
 Around that time.
1
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I was in London and Jay walks in with one more friend.
1
SPEAKER_00
And then I look at him and I think, oh, this guy looks like Tom Cruise.
1
SPEAKER_00
And then, you know, he starts asking, you know, all kinds of questions.
1
SPEAKER_00
And I think maybe he's in distress because his girlfriend has ditched him.
1
SPEAKER_00
 So honestly, I didn't think that you were so serious about wisdom and wanting to know more.
1
SPEAKER_00
At least it didn't appear at that time.
1
SPEAKER_00
So those were my first impressions.
1
SPEAKER_00
I hope I'm not being offensive.
1
SPEAKER_01
No, it's true.
1
SPEAKER_01
It's true.
1
SPEAKER_01
I wasn't spiritually inclined as a young kid.
1
SPEAKER_01
And even in my teens, I was not so spiritually inclined.
1
SPEAKER_01
I think that's why I meant at the beginning that meeting you was a real turning point for me because
1
SPEAKER_01
 Even though I had some friends that were into spirituality in my family, of course, my father and everything, I didn't really see my place.
1
SPEAKER_01
I couldn't really understand how someone like me could be spiritual.
1
SPEAKER_01
And I think that's why I'm so proactive in wanting to share it with people in the way I do is because I want
1
SPEAKER_01
 to share wisdom in a way that people like me, who didn't really think they were spiritual or could access it, can actually find their path.
1
SPEAKER_01
So I think you're right.
1
SPEAKER_01
I would agree with that.
1
SPEAKER_01
Okay, good.
1
SPEAKER_01
And then did you ever think that I would become a monk?
1
SPEAKER_01
Because I used to tell you, probably every time we met between 18 to 22, that I wanted to be one.
1
SPEAKER_00
Whenever I would hear that, I would think this guy has gone nuts.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And I was worried because, you know, definitely you were so sincere and your intention to become a monk was coming from somewhere really deep.
1
SPEAKER_00
But because I had spent already so many years by that time as a monk, I knew that life was pretty rough in terms of, you know, a relentless need for being disciplined and, you know, it's going to be extremely difficult and tough.
1
SPEAKER_00
 And you came across to me as someone so fragile and someone who's like a mama's boy that I would always think that, oh man, how will this guy tolerate all the hardships as a monk?
1
SPEAKER_00
And I was trying to discourage you for sure for all those years.
1
SPEAKER_00
But what happened later was, of course, your call.
1
SPEAKER_01
See, this is good.
1
SPEAKER_01
I want you all to listen to this because I want you to realize how much
1
SPEAKER_01
 growth someone has to make.
1
SPEAKER_01
I think sometimes when I'm speaking now,
2
SPEAKER_01
 you hear me, a lot of the time people feel that, oh, you've always been this way, or you've always had it figured out.
2
SPEAKER_01
And the answer is we don't, no one has it figured out.
2
SPEAKER_01
And we're all figuring out all the time.
2
SPEAKER_01
And
2
SPEAKER_01
 emotionally we change as well.
2
SPEAKER_01
I was definitely, I think when I first met you, I don't think I was thick skinned.
2
SPEAKER_01
I don't think that I was resilient.
2
SPEAKER_01
I don't think that I was, I think I was fragile emotionally.
2
SPEAKER_01
I think I was very sensitive.
2
SPEAKER_01
Like all of these things were, and I was 18 years old.
2
SPEAKER_01
So should I really put myself under pressure to be more?
2
SPEAKER_01
Maybe not because you're only 18 years old.
2
SPEAKER_01
But now when I look back and I think about how I've been able to grow and change,
2
SPEAKER_01
 It's fun to see it from that perspective.
2
SPEAKER_01
It's fun to look in the mirror with someone that has known you for a while and realize how far you've come.
2
SPEAKER_01
And for you to see how far anyone can come as well, including yourself.
2
SPEAKER_01
So, okay, that's good.
2
SPEAKER_01
And then when I became a monk, then we traveled together as well.
2
SPEAKER_01
What did you think during that time?
2
SPEAKER_01
What was your thoughts?
2
SPEAKER_01
Were they changing?
2
SPEAKER_01
Did I impress you?
2
SPEAKER_01
Did I prove you wrong?
2
SPEAKER_01
Where did it go from there?
2
SPEAKER_00
 Now, I must be very honest that, you know, I never imagined that, you know, you will come to where you are today.
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SPEAKER_00
Because at that point of time, I remember so many times you would break down and cry.
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And I was wondering that how will this guy survive his years as a monk?
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And... I still cry.
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 If someone had told me that one day this boy is going to become a social media celebrity, I would have said, good luck.
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SPEAKER_00
But I definitely was impressed, number one, with your sincerity in wanting to know and learn.
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SPEAKER_00
 So I think that was a very, very important value system, an attitude which you had even then, an eagerness to know and learn, which was so sincere that I remember that in all our travels, one thing which struck me was how precisely you would keep notes.
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SPEAKER_00
I don't know if you still have those notes.
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SPEAKER_00
Only when I'm in your class.
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SPEAKER_01
I still have them from then.
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SPEAKER_00
 But what struck me more was you have one of the neatest and the most beautiful handwritings.
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And I don't know whether those who are following you really have seen your handwriting, but it's mind boggling.
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SPEAKER_00
And I still remember that, although I have not seen it for a long time.
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But the way you would capture the notes
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 was very inspiring because it was very clear that you were wanting to understand very systematically all of that wisdom.
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And it has been an amazing experience to see how all of that unfolded in due course of time.
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SPEAKER_00
Another thing I would like to share is that in our travels, I could also see a very deep urge within you to share this wisdom.
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SPEAKER_00
 And that was pretty obvious because I was a speaker and so many people would come around and I would not have time to speak to all of them.
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SPEAKER_00
But you would immediately start sharing wisdom with others just after the event.
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And that irresistible desire to share the knowledge and wisdom and help others was something which I observed even then.
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SPEAKER_00
And also, that desire was so strong that you would see best practices
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 happening in different parts of the world, and especially at his concho party, and you immediately would try to do something in London.
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SPEAKER_00
And one example of that was how
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 you really tried to help the youth in London by creating a beautiful house for the youth to stay right around the college campus where they could experience a proper ecosystem for spiritual advancement.
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And I think it was totally your initiative which was born of your experience of seeing something like that in India.
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SPEAKER_00
And I was pretty impressed.
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SPEAKER_00
But in spite of your emotional side, I could always also see
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SPEAKER_00
 very strong resilience and the ability to withstand opposition, challenges, difficulties, and unwillingness to take no for an answer.
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SPEAKER_00
 And, you know, some examples of that was like some of the initiatives which you took at that particular point of time with respect to how to connect with the youth, and there were a lot of people who had other ideas but you were convinced of certain ideas and you really felt it was the best thing to do.
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SPEAKER_00
 And you were willing to put your weight behind that.
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SPEAKER_00
And that really impressed me because I thought, oh, here is someone who comes across as very emotional and fragile, but he still has the guts to lead with a certain kind of determination which does not come across immediately.
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SPEAKER_00
 So I did notice that and I remember when we were in Florida and we were about to catch a flight and two airlines attendant girls came up and they looked at you and said, hey, you look so happy and cute.
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SPEAKER_00
 And I remember that, and I looked at you, and I looked at them, and I was thinking, why is this guy a monk?
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SPEAKER_00
Maybe he'll be more effective if he's out there amongst the people and as part of society.
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SPEAKER_00
And at that point of time, there was practically no clue on what your future is going to be.
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SPEAKER_00
 But I could see that you had a tremendous ability to connect with people and reach out to people in ways which were pretty deep and something which not everybody could do.
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SPEAKER_00
So these are some of my memories of those times, seeing the soft side of your personality, but at the same time, your steel-like determination, which seemed to be couched
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SPEAKER_00
 under that external cover of emotional softness.
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SPEAKER_00
But I do believe that without having that kind of dedication and determination, you could not have spent those three years.
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SPEAKER_00
 as a monk with many of us.
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SPEAKER_00
And I remember, you know, putting you through the grind in the kitchen, you know, in front of a blazing fire, we would be cooking and you would be assisting.
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SPEAKER_00
And even while the construction of this eco village was happening, you were out there in the sun helping with bringing various materials and assisting.
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SPEAKER_00
But all through all of these
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SPEAKER_00
 The common thread which I saw was you had an enthusiasm and a zeal to serve.
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SPEAKER_00
And that, I feel, is a very, very important character element, which has really brought you to where you are.
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SPEAKER_00
And I'm so glad that millions of people who are connecting to you are extremely fortunate to have a guide who is connected with the authentic wisdom.
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SPEAKER_04
 Thank you.
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SPEAKER_01
Very kind.
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SPEAKER_01
And all I can say honestly, is that all the inspiration of anything I've ever done is through what I've learned from you and seen you do for so many years.
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SPEAKER_01
I remember coming with you to university events every single night in India.
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SPEAKER_01
 So every single night, Karangadas would go out to speak to different students about this wisdom and I would follow him and go every single night with him.
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SPEAKER_01
And I used to see this incredible enthusiasm from him to want to just share this wisdom with everyone.
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SPEAKER_01
When I saw that, I wanted to replicate the same thing.
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SPEAKER_01
So every time I saw him do something, and then I realized that wasn't him and I couldn't be him.
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SPEAKER_01
 which was a good self-awareness point for me, you can't become your mentors, you can't become your role models, you can't become your idols, and you don't have to, quite frankly.
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SPEAKER_01
And I think that's one of the biggest mistakes we make when we're young and immature, but then you grow to respect them more because of what they can do and achieve, and then you learn to find your own place.
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SPEAKER_01
 And I think that's what you always allowed me to do.
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SPEAKER_01
You gave me the space.
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SPEAKER_01
You never judged me for any of my mistakes or flaws.
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SPEAKER_01
And you never expected me to be at your level or anyone's level.
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SPEAKER_01
You gave me space and freedom to find myself.
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SPEAKER_01
And so every time I would find a different part of myself, I never felt judged by you to express that and to share that with you.
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SPEAKER_01
And yeah, anything that I've ever tried is what I've seen you do here in India.
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SPEAKER_01
 what I've seen you do here with the monks here and spending time here was some of my best memories of living as a monk and I think anything that I ended up doing in London was completely inspired by your work.
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SPEAKER_01
 And yeah, anything that I've done that's good is thanks to you.
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SPEAKER_01
And all the work that I'm doing now is just inspirational of everything you've given me.
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SPEAKER_00
So thank you so much.
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SPEAKER_00
Well, we are very honored to, you know, be a part of your journey and very happy to see your expression of humility and gratitude, because that's one of the very core elements of our spiritual journey.
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SPEAKER_01
 And don't worry, no one has to go and become a monk now, but we do recommend that you come and visit the ecovillage where we are right now.
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SPEAKER_01
I'd love for many of you to visit over the years when I...
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SPEAKER_01
 start leading retreats, and that's a big part of what I'd like to do over the next 10, 20 years and beyond.
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SPEAKER_01
And so this is just the beginning, as I always say.
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SPEAKER_01
And we're very grateful that Grangadas is providing such a universal home for so many people to find their own spiritual path.
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SPEAKER_01
So thank you so much to you.
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SPEAKER_01
Thank you.
2
SPEAKER_01
Thank you to the Eco Village.
2
SPEAKER_01
And yeah, thank you all for watching and listening.
2
SPEAKER_00
Thank you.
2
SPEAKER_02
 Hey everyone, this is Molly and Matt, and we're the hosts of Grown Up Stuff How to Adult, a podcast from Ruby Studio and iHeart Podcasts.
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SPEAKER_04
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SPEAKER_06
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I've been trying to write a promo for our podcast, Part-Time Genius, but even though we've done over 250 episodes, we don't really talk about murders or cults.
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I mean, we did just cover the Illuminati of cheese, so I feel like that makes us pretty edgy.
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SPEAKER_05
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SPEAKER_05
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