Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck with David Nichtern

M.J. Schwartz explores how to meet perfectionism with mindfulness and heal the cultural messages that keep us striving for impossible standards.Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give here: BHNN 10th Birthday FundraiserIn this episode, David and M.J. chat about:M.J.’s introduction to mindfulness and meditationHow mindfulness was incorporated into M.J.’s work as a doula and midwifeLearning how to wisely deal with perfectionism Healthy striving versus tethering our identity to a certain resultHow childhood parentification can lead to adult perfectionism Other-oriented perfectionism and criticizing those who do not meet our expectations Picking up perfectionism from the world around usPerfectionism’s role in eating disorders and the obsession with body size in our cultureSynchronizing the mind and bodyJoin Dharma Moon’s for their Body of Meditation Training or learn about The Business of Teaching MeditationAbout M.J. Schwartz:M.J. Schwartz is the founder of Studio138 Family Yoga and Mindfulness. Having started practicing yoga and mindfulness at age twelve, M.J. is passionate about sharing these modalities with families of all stages and configurations. As a parent and grandparent themselves, they understand the nuances of a practice that evolves alongside life's many changes.M.J. holds a B.A. in psychology from Smith College, where they studied perfectionism with a leading researcher in the field, along with certifications in mindfulness, yoga, and Intuitive Eating. Before returning to school in midlife, they worked as a doula, childbirth educator, and midwife, and continue to teach pregnancy and postpartum classes that blend mindfulness with evidence-based information. Check out M.J. on Substack.“Other-oriented perfectionism goes hand in glove with self-oriented perfectionism. If a parent is hyper-perfectionistic, there is a chance that they are then very hard on their children.“  –M.J. SchwartzSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ramin Nazer and David Nichtern explore the individual’s place in an ever-changing and technologically-advancing world.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenowThis time on CSM, we hear about: Technological advancement and the collective mindSci-Fi and fear vs. hope for the futureThe unsustainability of blissEternalism and the hellscape of pointlessnessThe dystopia of A.I and ChatGPTSafe zones versus growth zonesCreativity and trying to guess what the world wants to seeCreating a balance in a chaotic worldThe fundamental experiences that ground usPsychedelics as a liberating disruptionSimulations, robots, and ‘I am-ness’The dynamics of polarityAbout Ramin Nazer:Ramin Nazer is a multi-talented artist, podcaster, comedian, game creator and musician based out of LA. He is best known for his consistent stream of unique, psychedelic-spiritual, bite-sized art for the social media age, as well as his podcast, with comedian Shane Mauss, Mind Under Matter, where they take a hilarious and scientific approach to human behavior. You can tap into Ramin’s steady flow of art on his Instagram, tap into his solo podcast Rainbow Brainskull, and peer into his myriad offerings at RaminNazer.com.“According to Buddhism, the solution is you maintain your status as a human being who has ups and downs, who has lungs, and disappointments, yet there’s a seed of real depth of wisdom and understanding and compassion in it. You bypass the God realms.” – David NichternSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Examining the interplay between mind and body, neuroscientist Dr. Sarà King and David Nichtern talk trauma, dream-work, and the sense of self.David and Dr. Sarà traverse these topics:Dr. Sarà’s research on generational trauma and ancestral intelligenceThe autonomic nervous system and how trauma is stored in the bodyFight, Flight, Freeze, Faint, and gauging if a situation is safe or dangerousHow contemplative practices can modulate the trauma responseWhat the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible forHow we create personal narrativesNeuroscience and quantum energyDr. Sarà’s own journey to liberation from traumaCo-Creating our own reality with the universeDreams, trips, bardos and beyondDr. Sarà’s work in creating a map of awarenessThe relationship between biometrics and story-tellingAI, cosmology, and merging biosynthetic beings with human consciousness“There is this real delicate dance and interplay that’s happening between the mind and the body to construct a sense of self, me, I, at any given moment.” – Dr. Sará KingAbout Dr. Sará King:Dr. Sará King is a UCLA-trained neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She has over 20 years of experience as a research scientist, and specializes in the study of the relationship between mindfulness, complementary alternative medicine, and social justice. She is the scientific consultant for Peace in Schools, a dharma teacher with Presence Collective, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology, and the founder of MindHeart Consulting, a scientific consultancy offering seminars, research and development, and trauma healing circles.Keep up with Dr. King on Instagram or HEREJoin Ethan Nichtern and Shelly Tygielski on January 9th for a free online event: "Right Livelihood: What Capitalism Can Learn From Buddhism"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mindfulness teacher, Kaira Jewel Lingo, chats with David Nichtern about the power of spiritual community and self-assessment.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenowIn this episode, David and Kaira discuss:The practice of sharing appreciations and regretsCommunity support within nunneries and monasteriesCo-regulating the nervous system to mitigate conflictSocial change and recognizing our shared humanityDoing the inner work to have a bigger impact on the worldLiving simply and being aligned with our purposeUsing resources to build a better futureNeuroscience & BuddhismKaira’s upcoming books and events“There needs to be inner work for outer work to really have an impact.” – Kaira Jewel LingoDiscover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern. With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others.Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David is joined by Emmy Award-winning composer, author, multi-Platinum record producer and songwriter Richard Wolf for a conversation about music, mindfulness, and success. Join David Nichtern and Robert Thurman on Tuesday, August 22nd to discuss teaching meditation and find out more about Dharma Moon and Tibet House's renowned mindfulness meditation teacher training: FREE ONLINE TALKIn this episode, Richard joins David to discuss:The Twelve Bridges between music & meditationZen & Silent IlluminationPractice and successLinks From This Episode:Darker the Night, Brighter the StarsDiscovering Elegance“It’s not about your ego when you’re making music. It’s not about you. It’s about the music.If you’re trying to perform, you want to just have the best performance possible. If you’re writing music, you just want to take the song where the song wants to go. You want to help it go. It’s not about your self-referential agenda; it’s about the music. It’s not about you, and so you’re transcending yourself.” – Richard WolfAbout Richard Wolf:Richard “Wolfie” Wolf is an Emmy Award ™ winning composer, multi-Platinum RIAA awarded record producer and songwriter, teacher and noted author. Wolf is on the faculty of The University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where he teaches a class on “Music & Mindfulness” which was the first course at a university level to explore the special relationship between the two practices.His book “In Tune: Music As The Bridge To Mindfulness” is acclaimed as an innovative guide to contemplative practices for musical people and was the inspiration for his podcast “Wolf In Tune”. The book was written up in The New Yorker, Parade Magazine, Mindful Magazine, Mashable, Spirituality & Health and others.Learn more about Richard at richardwolf.net.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emmy-winning composer Sean Callery and David discuss true fearlessness, how Trungpa Rinpoche heard music, and the symphony of impermanence.Join David Nichtern and Robert Thurman to discuss teaching meditation and find out more about Dharma Moon and Tibet House's renowned mindfulness meditation teacher training: FREE ONLINE TALKIn this episode, David and Sean dive into:Sean’s absolutely legendary Emmy-winning career as a humble composer you may not know, but have certainly heard and been touched bySuccess, aspiration, effort, persistence, happiness, fruition, and the journeyConnecting, acknowledging, authenticity, skillful means, confidence, and unique viewBlending spirituality and the Dharma with our jobs and work livesFear and fearlessness through the lens of Shambala and Chögyam Trungpa RinpocheUnderstanding impermanence as a rich symphonyHow Trungpa Rinpoche heard musicAn impromptu live jam session with Sean showcasing emotional change in musical scoresLinks from this episode:Garchen Rinpoche Doc: https://vimeo.com/544826314David on Merv Griffin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2ZEu2oe2UEk&feature=youtu.be“What people have misunderstood about impermanence is, ‘Oh, it’s just nullifying and void, nothing exists, emptiness,’ but what we’re saying is there’s this rich symphony going on, and there is a pattern to it, but it will never be the same from one time to one time. That’s true every moment of your life.” – David NichternSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring Vedic principles in a modern era, Vedic scholar and Lineage Holder Acharya Shunya joins David Nichtern in a reflection on infinity and emptiness.Take part in a free online evening of exploration with Acharya Shunya and David Nichtern. Enjoy a presentation by Acharya Shunya titled “Awakening Goddess Saraswati with Mantra, Meditation & Sacred Visioning”, followed by a dialogue between her and David, and will conclude with an open Q&A session: LEARN MOREIn this episode David and Acharya Shunya explore:The form and formlessHindu Lineages Enlightenment and VulnerabilityRebirthing the self Yugas and addressing the era we are born intoDiversity and OnenessSpiritual containers and curiosity Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenowAbout Acharya Shunya: Acharya Shunya is a truth-teller who facilitates authenticity, self-remembrance, and divine feminine pathways to awakening. The first female head of her spiritual lineage that traces its roots to 2,000 years ago in India, Acharya Shunya represents the ancient Vedic tradition of India in a way that is completely authentic, yet as relevant as possible to modern sensibilities and needs. Acharya Shunya is the author of three bestselling books Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom, Sovereign Self and her newest book - Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful. In this book, Acharya Shunya honors her progressive Vedic roots while breaking the shackles of tradition to bring modern-day women, an inclusive, feminist spirituality.Find Links to Acharya Shunya's books and social media HERE"First comes emptiness. Only then, in that emptiness which is potent from divinity and spiritual consciousness, comes the seed. That seed becomes sound and that sound becomes form." – Acharya Shunya See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.