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Daniel Simpson

Timeless wisdom for modern dilemmas, combining yoga philosophy, practical insight and critical thinking. Hosted by Daniel Simpson. 

ancientfutures.substack.com

Ancient Futures

"What are we doing wrong that requires us all to be so resilient so often?” That’s the basic question that frames a new book by Elliot Cohen. The Psychology of Slow Living investigates ways to avoid being frazzled by a culture of urgency fuelled by quests for instant gratification via digital technology and overconsumption.

Drawing on ideas from Buddhist, Hindu, Daoist and Jewish traditions – as well as social psychology – the book explores how to slow down from a range of perspectives. It warns against seeking quick fixes, but highlights the value of meditative practice, communion with nature and social rituals, from tea ceremonies to the Sabbath.

We also talk about the mental effects of surroundings – from the impact of urban environments to natural examples of living with balance. In the process, Elliot cites teachings on the “usefulness of uselessness”, promoting some renouncing without dropping out. You can find out more about his research here.

📅 Join me in March to explore authenticity in yoga (in London or online).

🙏 Donations make this podcast sustainable – please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... Your support is greatly appreciated!
 

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Slowing Down – Elliot Cohen

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What happens if we think for ourselves, instead of taking things on faith from ancient texts? Peter Blackaby teaches what he calls “humanistic yoga”, based on “modern understandings of neurology, psychology and biomechanics.” This includes "stripping away the culturally specific aspects of yoga that might not be useful or relevant,” such as many of the theories of Indian philosophy. In which case, why call it yoga? Our conversation considers the basis for this, noting overlaps between his ideas and traditional teachings.

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Intelligent Life with Peter Blackaby

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Traditionally, physical yoga aims to raise vital energy. This is often described as a serpent-like power that dissolves the mind. However, one influential teacher saw Kuṇḍalinī differently. T. Krishnamacharya, who taught B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois, said it was a blockage that had to be burned, not a means to liberation. Simon Atkinson's book explains why. Drawing on his experiences as well as his research, this conversation explores implications for modern practitioners. Simon has practised yoga for more than 20 years in the tradition most closely associated with Krishnamacharya's son, T.K.V. Desikachar.

If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

What is Kundalini? – Simon Atkinson

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It’s often said that yoga is timeless, but many modern methods are recent inventions. What keeps them anchored in earlier traditions? I recently explored this with Mike De Masi, who runs a discussion group devoted to the yoga of T. Krishnamacharya and his students – from B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois to T.K.V. Desikachar and Srivatsa Ramaswami.

Among other topics, our conversation covered:

* What “tradition” means when so much has changed

* Whether stories told by lineages stand up to scrutiny

* How one relates to other worldviews as a foreigner

* What scholarship on yoga can offer practitioners

* Why critique should be balanced with respect

If you enjoy the podcast, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

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RESOURCES

Worldwide Krishnamacharya Yoga Community

Breath of the Gods (a 2012 film about Krishnamacharya)

“The Yoga of the Haṭhābhyāsapaddhati” (Birch and Singleton)

The Goddess Pose (a book about the life of Indra Devi)

Srivatsa Ramaswami’s Vinyasa Krama website

Evolving Traditions – Mike De Masi

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ancientfutures.substack.com

Which ideas keep traditions alive in the 21st century? Modern mindfulness removes Buddhist framing, but says most of its wisdom is part of the practice. Yoga is often taught similarly. Are there pitfalls to reinventing teachings? I recently discussed this with Frank Jude Boccio, the author of Mindfulness Yoga, which integrates the practice of āsana with insight meditation.

Among other topics, our conversation covered:

* What mindfulness means (not “be here now”)

* How to think for oneself while removing illusions

* Which traditional concepts might not seem relevant

* Whether seeking liberation is a helpful objective

* Why Frank Jude left Thich Nhat Hanh’s order

If you enjoy the podcast, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

Mindfulness and Yoga – Frank Jude Boccio

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What does it mean to practise yoga authentically when so much has changed? If we don’t know how much we don’t know in historical terms, where does that leave us? Which narratives predominate? Who defines what's yoga and what isn't? I discuss these topics with VikramJeet Singh, who shares thought-provoking posts on the wisdom of yoga via his Instagram handle @wanderingmat. Our conversation was inspired by a recent course that Vikram attended. It raised a few questions, so he suggested a chat. We could have gone on much longer, so there might be another one soon…

If you enjoy the podcast, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

Role Reversal with VikramJeet Singh

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Eddie Stern teaches yoga at the Broome Street Ganesha Temple in New York. Among other topics, we explore the connections – and some of the disparities – between yogic knowledge, scientific findings and academic study. Building on his book One Simple Thing, Eddie has been working on a master's of science degree. We begin by discussing his research, which investigates meaning and purpose, and how they help people cope with anxiety. Eddie also shares some thoughts on his own transition away from daily practice of Ashtanga yoga, reappraising his role as a teacher with a heartfelt apology.

If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

How Yoga Works – Eddie Stern

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Laura von Ostrowski is a scholar, and also a yoga teacher. As she explains in her book, there’s a fundamental mismatch between the Yoga Sūtra’s emphasis on physical transcendence and modern postural practice.

Focusing in depth on Ashtanga Vinyasa, she investigates how boundaries get blurred. We discuss the implications for yoga philosophy, as well as its links to contemporary practice and everyday life. If we reinterpret texts to serve different priorities, should we really write new ones?

To explore the Yoga Sūtra "beyond eight limbs", join me for a course at truthofyoga.com.

If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

Embodying Philosophy – Laura von Ostrowski

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What does it take to keep a podcast going, year after year? J. Brown has been hosting Yoga Talks since 2015, so I thought I’d inquire! As J. admits, he likes stirring things up. His blog bills him as: “outspoken and sometimes controversial", and notes that his approach "has sparked broad discussions". This one is no less wide-ranging. Among other topics, we talk about:

* The backlash to some of his episodes, and how he handles criticism

* A shift away from polarisation to more harmonious forms of dialogue

* What inspires his choice of guests, and his approach to yoga generally

* Why he rejected his parents’ religion, and found solace in practices

* How he reconciles resistance to authority with embrace of a deity

Separately, there's still time to join me for my online course on the Yoga Sūtra “beyond eight limbs” – you can do that here.

Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – donations are greatly appreciated! You can make one here as a subscriber, or buy me a coffee to fuel conversations.

Talking Yoga with J. Brown

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Can anything be yoga? Or does everything crumble to dust if it’s analysed hard enough?

I recently discussed this – and much else besides – with Anya Foxen and Christa Kuberry, who co-wrote a book titled Is This Yoga? 

There are no simple answers, but asking the question can still be insightful – particularly since both authors are also practitioners. Along the way, we consider:

* If yoga’s roots are too knotted to distinguish lotuses from waterlilies

* How Western traditions dating back to ancient Greece echo yogic ideas

* Whether classes called “harmonic gymnastics” would attract any students

* What might help modern yoga preserve a connection to Indic tradition

* How to build a dating app combining Western and Vedic astrology

To dive a bit deeper into texts and traditions, join me for a course at truthofyoga.com.

Ancient Futures is free, but takes time to produce – donations are greatly appreciated! You can make one here as a subscriber, or buy me a coffee to fuel conversations.

Role Reversal with VikramJeet Singh

Role Reversal with VikramJeet Singh

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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