The DPO Project: Recent Episodes
The Dispassionate Observer
This week Master Zi and Radheya invite actor and comedian Donald Lacy to the podcast. Master Zi and Donald Lacy go way back and in this episode they reflect on how their friendship has impacted each other over the years. While grief and loss is a part of life, Master Zi and Lacy share what they learned from losing people they loved to soon. Forgiveness is not for the other person, it is for yourself. It takes time to rebuild after we go through heavy loss in our lives. You can watch the full episode of The Redemption Project featuring Lacy forgive the boy that shot his daughter online.
This week Master Zi and Radheya discuss how institutions create rules for us to follow, but those who enforce the rules find ways to avoid them. So how do we get sucked in to these policies? Sometimes, we feel we are being scammed by our leaders. Are we the suckers? We ask all these questions and Master Zi shares his experience working with people with different temperaments to understand why this happens.
This week Master Zi and Radheya are considering checking out of the 24-hour news stream and checking in to life. We discuss why the news is no longer beneficial, and why too much information is leading us down a path of poor health. The time we dedicate to keeping up with the latest politics, trends, and events is taking over the time we are present for our life. What if we could take a pause on watching that half hour show, and instead do a work out? When is enough...enough? We explore how the mainstream manipulates our perspectives and not necessarily for the best.
This week Master Zi and Radheya look into why having opinions can become limiting. They cover big current event topics and explore the polarization that is happening on a global scale. As a humanity, we are becoming less invested with connection especially as AI is becoming more and more prevalent in our day-to-day lives. Have you ever had a conversation with someone that turned into a falling out because they simply did not agree with your opinion? Well, that's what we explore today and how to navigate this concerning trend.
When we're walking around the state of anxiety, we are not present. This is the topic this week as we explore what it means to truly be alive and living. Anxiety takes us out of the present. One of Radheya's favorite quote of Zi's is "if you're not present, then you're not living." Living in a 24/7 society with phones has drastically changed changed our human experience. While we must face fates and stressful circumstances, to be in this state chronically leads to disease. This week the guys explore ways to overcome this way of being and restore our vibrant life.
This week Master Zi has a fun and enlightening conversation with Chiara. It's a Boomer vs. Gen Z discussion on current events and trends that are impacting all generations. In this discussion we explore each generations view on the current socioeconomic landscape. With Zi's generation phasing out and Chiara's generation coming into their own, we see that there are differences but ultimately, we have the same desires and feelings as the other generations.
When logic and rational thought has left the table, how can you move forward without going crazy? This week Master Zi and Radheya discuss strategies to avoid being caught in someone else's storm. Most of us can recall a time when we extended ourselves or offered some advice only to be blamed by the person we initially tried to help. What does staying in your lane mean? Zi mentions this as way to navigate the daily stresses of dealing with people who are not rational or logical. In Buddhism, Buddha describes why being the light tower and example is the best way to teach and help people. Becoming the beacon of inspiration allows us to pursue our dharma without interfering with other people's journey.
This week's episode is inspired by an article written by Grazie Sophia Christie detailing her experience dating an older man and why other women should follow suit. Master Zi and Radheya discuss their views on modern dating and relationships and why it's becoming increasingly hard to have a sustainable partnership. We really take a look at how gender roles have shifted, and how it's impacted both women and men. Feminism has brought women many opportunities, but especially in urban areas, we've seen a lot of women age out of having kids because they've been focused on their careers. Men don't necessarily have a biological clock ticking, and often mature much later than women. It's somewhat of a cosmic joke. This week we really explore how this impacts our overall health and wellness in relationships.
This week Master Zi and Radheya explore the myriad ways technology impacts our overall health and wellness. Ideally, we use these devices, and they don't use us. However, with rising rates of dementia and other health disorders like tech neck, we can't help but ask ourselves why is this happening. Master Zi explains how technology and neuroscience work together and why it's important to know when and how to use these devices.
This week Master Zi and Radheya cover the Ozempic trend and how it really impacts your health. Every generation has a version of Ozempic, and Master Zi discusses why supplements and medications dedicated to weight-loss are more harmful than helpful. They discuss why society tends to just want a magic pill instead of building a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that would support their overall health.
This week Master Zi and Radheya tackle topics like the debacle in Gaza, the government banning Tik Tok, and mental health trends in the U.S. They look at these current events by first examining how they came to be in the first place, and they wonder how we can turn a blind eye to things that are so obvious. Zi shares his insight and knowledge of neurology and discusses the different types of cognitive dissonance that can be expressed in times of crisis.
This week Master Zi and Radheya continue their conversation around propaganda only this time they include ways to navigate it. Maintaining your individualism and learning to stay centered amidst the chaos is challenging. The media uses these tools in order to control the narratives to fit their agendas and maintain status quo. Well, the best thing is to step away from the constant news stream and connect with like minded people, but we still have to find a way to work with the ones who are invested in this framework. This episode we talk about ways to work together with people who have dissenting views without having to isolate from each other.
We are back! The guys are fired up in this episode as we tackle the topic of propaganda and how it shapes our culture, beliefs, and ways of thinking. Ultimately, it is up to us to break out of the matrix of the constant news cycle and government narratives that keep us from staying open to other sources of information and storytelling. Master Zi and Radheya discuss how politicians use these strategies all of the time in order to serve their own best interests. The silver lining that Master Zi offers is that younger generations are waking up and realizing this and they are using social media to share information faster than we've seen before. That's why it is still important to do our due diligence by finding our own sources and preferably multiple ones from different avenues in order to begin to understand the underlying truths. Whether we're aware of this or not, our overall health and wellness is connected to our thinking and beliefs so keeping an open mind is the first step on our journey to better health and well being.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the effects of stagnation and it's impact on our overall health and wellness. Much like when we are congested, there's no flow and movement which can create disease. This isn't just about our physical health, but our emotional and mental health as well. When we are in the right relationships, we can freely express our emotions, but if we're not, that tension builds up over time causing a lot of hardships that affects all areas of life. We look at ways to navigate this and why it's so important to have the difficult conversations.
This week we're back with Master Zi and Vindesh's discussion on the role of compassion and it's impact on the human condition. Vindesh discusses the responses he received on his social media post when he asked, "what's the biggest threat we are facing?" Someone responded saying poor politics and leaders are the biggest threat, but who put them there? We look at why it's so important to deprogram ourselves. Master Zi shares his insight on why it's important to mitigate stress and slow down in order to preserve overall health.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue their conversation about the global mental health crisis. There is a lot of unrest around the world, and there is not a lot of middle ground in the narratives that dominate the news cycle. So where do we go from here? Master Zi shares his insight on how these events affect our overall health and wellness. On the individual level, we can do a lot to mitigate our own suffering, and thus be able to help or guide our loved ones through the current murky, societal landscape.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore free expression and it's impact on society. While we have freedom of speech in this country, there still seems to be backlash against those who disagree with the dominant narrative. Master Zi reiterates the opt out philosophy and why withdrawing to pursue your own path is the one of the best ways forward. In order to have free will, we must be able to break through the patterns and ideologies that we learned from birth. They discuss the risks and rewards of going down your own path.
We're back after taking a little break and this week it's all about sustainability. It's a big buzzword in every industry and we're seeing a rise in sustainable movements for the environment, but we explore what sustainable looks like in all areas of life. Master Zi discusses the myths behind the electric car movement and why it's important to reflect on the reasons you choose to buy or opt in to the marketing of "sustainable" goods. There's always another side to the story, and we discuss how the current societal landscape is shifting technologically, but the principles behind it are not all that they may seem.
This week we're back with Master Zi and Vindesh to discuss why change is difficult. Suffering and pain are teachers and guides, according to Buddhism. We can learn from pain or discomfort, but we must explore our attachments to what it is that makes us unwell. This week we talk about why making small changes leads to bigger changes.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss decision fatigue and how it impacts our ability to make daily choices. We started this episode talking about mass hysteria, and then we had to look into why this is happening on a large scale. The 24-7 new stream, social media, and politics are never ending, so it is up to us to turn it off and rest. At some point, we need to withdraw and let the mind recover and meditation is one of the best ways to combat reasoning fatigue. The guys talk about the recent Hurriquake in California, J.K. Rowling’s cancelation, and clowns. I still don’t know how we get to clowns, but we did!
This week Master Zi and Vindesh get real and discuss the latest trends in news and events. Zi always talks about "word salads" which means the combination of different words to form new meanings. Except, we don't really understand these new meanings. A side effect of cancel culture is that we now police each others words and speech, we're not able to be real or speak to our authentic truth because someone out there will be offended. How do we navigate through this moment in culture? Master Zi and Vindesh share what they have learned when they have followed this rabbit hole.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue their conversation about navigating life during chaotic times. Covid taught us a lot about the state of humanity, and why mental health is so important. This episode reflects on our personal journeys through chaos and why community and finding your "tribe" is the next area of where our evolution takes place. We use the term opt-out for a reason, and refer to our audience as opt outs because we no longer want to contribute to societal behaviors that are not aligned with our overall health and wellness. The guys share their personal ideas of what the world looks like when we find our place of belonging.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the current trends in mental health across the country. Changes in the world and our socioeconomic landscape are happening fast. Living in the digital era, everyone has a platform and place to voice their opinions, but is it really good for our health to be taking in all of this information? Some ideologies being presented are not in the best interests of everyone, but if we disagree, there can be public backlash. So how do we navigate through this and make sure our overall health remains intact? Master Zi shares his perspective and thoughts on herd mentality and avoiding some of the pitfalls of too much information.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue the discussion on why it's beneficial to understand cultural backgrounds and trends. Our early life experiences shape our whole reality, and anyone who breaks from a group will often see how their identity has been woven into that group's belief system. Understanding this concept can help us determine if that is truly beneficial for our health and well being. It can also help us navigate relationships especially in cases where our partner's come from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh are all fired up over their discussion about how culture shapes and informs us as individuals. Throughout history so many cultures and civilizations have come and gone, so what can we learn from this? Zi shares a book, "The Triple Package" by Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfel that explains the 3 traits that have made cultural groups successful in the US after immigration. We can learn a lot about ourselves by understanding our cultural affiliations. While it is very advantageous to be a part of a group, sometimes it can be detrimental to our individual health and well being. This is the first part of this discussion.
We're back from taking a summer break! This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss why sifting through the news cycle is a necessary but tedious task to get the whole story. Since we've been gone, we have lost hundreds of migrants along the Greek coast as well as 5 billionaires on a recreational journey to see the Titanic. Which story do you think garnered more attention? Exactly. This week we discuss why sourcing our news sources is just as important as sourcing the food we eat, because most often we are being misled by wording or marketing.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss active listening and why clear communication is essential for sustainable relationships. It's worth developing this skill set and doing reflective exercises to understand what your communication style is and how to improve it. The guys take a look at what exactly is active listening by drawing from their personal lives.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss why art is so important for the well-being of humanity. Art can be an inspiration or catalyst for change, which is why it's so often banned. There are many studies on why art therapy, music theory, and dance has a positive effect on emotional regulation and is cathartic. This is why we need to protect it from A.I. because it's the most human way of expressing our lived experiences. This episode we dive into different periods of time where art and music shaped cultural movements and action.
On this episode Master Zi and Vindesh ask themselves, "what do we truly want." It's easy to get lost in the daily chaos. We are in the habit of our attention being diverted by family, co-workers, social media. Furthermore, entitlement and drama pulls us away from our truest desires. We could spend a lifetime getting lost in the rabbit hole, but whats the anti-dote? Master Zi shares why it's important to know your endgame, how do you want to live your life?
This week Master Zi and Vindesh talk about the rise of A.I. and the potential, life threatening implications of using this technology. On one hand, not at all A.I. tech has evil intentions, but then again, it is being programmed and made by humans. Pioneers of this tech have already stated warnings about misusing artificial intelligence. We explore how current society trends are prepping us to turnover parts of our lives to A.I. and how that can help or hinder our overall health.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss why learning how to control your mind and thoughts is the most valuable skillset you can set out to achieve. Breathing techniques are a great tool to bringing us in the present because it requires complete focus to maintain the rhythms. The guys talk about why cognitive decline is becoming rampant and why stilling the mind is essential for our health.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh pick up where they left off only this time, they offer up solutions and philosophies that serve as an anchor during chaotic times. This episode we focus on gratitude and why it's the main pillar of contentment. Gratitude puts us in the present immediately. We don't express it enough with our loved ones, and that's becoming problematic in our relationships. Master Zi shares his insight on gratitude and how it helps us become more resilient.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh introduce part one of a two part conversation that is very concerning to them. They discuss the underlying mental health issue that is becoming more and more common, especially in crowded cities. Resiliency is key to maintaining our cool during times of high stress, but with the current upswing in violence across the country, we ask, "what is our threshold for humanity?" This week in LA we've seen two fatal shootings due to road rage in just 2 days. The guys discuss current events such as the choking death of a homeless man in New York City, the shooting of a teenage turning around in a driveway in Texas, and more.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue the conversation about recent research and revelations in neuroscience. This title seems dramatic, but that's because the research regarding cognitive function is finally sounding the alarm on why current health trends have devastating long term effects. The slow drip of death is stress that accumulates over time and begins to wear out different parts of the brain. Science is finding the connection between early life trauma, and it's impact on brain development. Master Zi shares what he's found in his research and why it's important for everyone no matter the age to take of their brain health and manage stress.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss new research and revived information from the world of neuroscience. The most alarming trend is the number of younger people experiencing Alzheimers and other cognitive impairing diseases. Signs of brain deterioration can begin in the 30s and 40s, which means it is no longer an old age disease. Master Zi shares what that looks like for younger generations and for those who wish to navigate around this phenomenon.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore the meaning of Buddha and the many ways we see this teaching expressed today. Master Zi shares his personal stories of how certain family members or athletes display this path daily. Buddha understood the importance of duty and spoke of fulfilling your duties without seeking validation. The path to buddhahood is available to all of this because it isn't a person, it's a teaching. So, what are our main hindrances to accepting this teaching and following this path?
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the concept that the first definition of love meant unsolicited devotion. This meaning has been lost in this current society because somewhere along the way love and relationships have become transactional. As we steer farther and farther away from this idea, we find that our overall health declines. The guys discuss this topic after Vin’s family trip to their homeland in India, where Vin witnessed his father’s genuine love and devotion for their family. Master Zi shares his insight on those who taught him the medicine that is unconditional love.
This week Master Zi and Caitlin discuss what's really important in life, which is being in the now. Vindesh is on vacation in India and having a great time with his family in their homeland. The experiences they make there will definitely be life long memories. Memories are all we have at the end, and that's why Master Zi has a special message he'd like to share on this podcast. Our community member, Peace, lost his brother to cancer recently and while Master Zi only knew him a short time, he taught him a lot about how to live a good life. If there is anything that could help this world now, the anti-dote to the chaos, it's love. Master Zi shares his insight on the transiency of life and why Patanjali always said "do it now" at the beginning of the Yoga Sutras.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the news cycle and how it doesn't always benefit us. Vindesh reads from The Mahabharata, a Vedic philosophic text from thousands of years ago. The Mahabharata is an epic. The stories are timely in the sense they reflect the human condition, which honestly hasn't changed that much. We still have petty wars, famine, kings, and despite having access to knowledge and enlightenment, we're still choosing the former. We explore how this ancient text parallels our experience today as well as the omens we've been given to better understand the human condition and have soul growth.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss current pop-culture trends and why mass censorship is ruining relationships. The petty dictator is the voice within that chimes when you feel like you need to police other people’s opinions and thoughts. We look at why entitlement stifles growth and why the search for inner peace will lead you way from inner peace. The guys also give their take on Chris Rock's new comedy "Selective Outrage." Zi asks, "what happened to live and let live?"
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss why it's important to understand cause and effect. Understanding what caused the event to happen is a key to preventing or being better prepared for it if it happens again. We see this play out with health all the time. We know processed foods have additives that aren't beneficial to our health at all, so we see a rise in diabetes. It doesn't just stop at health, humans can override this mechanism and do all of the time. Zi and Vindesh explore ways to approach and integrate causality to improve health and well-being.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss tough love and ask, "is it ever unhealthy to love too much." Zi shares his philosophical insights on how love is described by the yoga sadhus and ancients. Perhaps, we can love those too much to the point that we enable them or their unhealthy habits because we think it's best for them. We see this in the west with relationships, we love our parent or spouse who just overcame a big health challenge and now to celebrate they will eat the same food that made them sick. We look at why boundary setting is important and the harmony of unconditional love.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the importance of taking the time to reflect and know yourself. As it is said in the Tao Te Ching, “those who look for other’s approval will always be their slave.” If we can learn to better understand the self, then we have an opportunity to navigate the world with less woes. Fate is a wayward mistress that will visit us at the worst time, but at least by knowing who you are, you can make adjustments. They discuss how societal pressures and the chemical Atrazine are impacting our health and wellbeing.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh welcome a guest, Rob Stone, who is a student of Zi's to the podcast. Rob was invited on this podcast episode because he wanted to learn more about current dating trends and hear Rob's experience especially with online dating. Zi asks the question that if we're not trying to create and maintain quality relationships, then are we just waiting to die? Statistics show that people who are in committed relationships live longer. We explore the current barriers to developing long lasting relationships and strategies to overcome societal narratives that do not serve us.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh talk about the myths of the sustainability movement. Electric cars, green packaging, and ditching natural gas are not the end all be all towards saving the planet. In fact, the hunt for the minerals and elements to make these "green" versions are just as disruptive. This narrative has moved into our every day lives and interactions with people. How far can we take this before we explode? Master Zi talks about tolerance and asks if we've become too tolerant to the things that really don't benefit us.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh have a conversation about mourning and moving forward after a period of grief. Grief plays a big role in our lives and we do it whenever we've lost something we've really cared about or loved. In the west, we're given a few days to take the time and bury our dead, but then are expected to get back to work and life like it never happened. It's important to move on, but Zi and Vindesh explore how this plays out in the other areas of life. When is it time to walk away from someone or something that is "dead" or has no energy anymore? Zi comes up with a strategy and shares his insight on all of Vindesh's questions.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore what makes Finland the happiest country in the world. What are the markers of happiness? We also talk about how control stifles happiness. It’s challenging dealing with uncertainty, but if we allow room for divine intervention, it can ease our suffering. The guys discuss why they think controlling behavior is destructive.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the intricacies of navigating relationships with close ones even when it's challenging. Zi is a big fan of dynamic meditation as a technique to use when you find yourself in awkward or unpleasant situations. We all have that one person in our family that we need to exercise a lot of boundaries with. If you've ever asked yourself, "how do I deal with so-so?" well then this episode looks at different strategies from a Buddhist point of view.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue to explore the current health trends and reflect on the closing of 2022. Master Zi shares one of his favorite Taoist excerpts, "a master takes bitters everyday, because every day is hard." We talk about why it's hard to practice gratitude and what gets in the way of our contentment. Life is bittersweet so we might as well enjoy the ride!
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore a world without substance. It sounds bleak at first, but every generation has faced a moment where they are confronted with new technology and culture shifts. What makes this one so different? AI, crypto, and VR are amazing advancements. What isn’t advancing is the human condition. This week Zi shares excerpts from the Tao and Vedas in order to understand the past so we can know how we got here. We must learn how to use this technology, otherwise it may use us.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore reciprocity and what that really looks like played out in our daily lives and relationships. All relationships have a mutual benefit, or at least they should. This is a principle from the Vedas, which Master Zi elaborates on it's meaning in the contemporary moment. As the year comes to a close, we are often pulled in so many directions with holiday parties, social gatherings, gift giving, and so on. We reflect on what it means to give and receive holistically so that our overall health and well-being can thrive, not just survive.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore the challenges of being honest and why it ultimately leads to liberation. We've all heard the phrase, "I just need to get this off my chest," well that's what it feels like when you can be honest in a situation. It's tough and comes with liability for whatever consequences come after but it's also freeing. We just need to make sure we're not burdening the listener. Currently, honesty is not rewarded in the sociology-economic landscape and we see that with our politicians. Master Zi and Vindesh discuss how opt-outs can navigate these muddy waters while remaining true to themselves.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore therapy and it’s role in your own personal growth. If you don’t learn how your childhood trauma plays a role in your life, then your romantic relationships will. Anytime you type in therapy or couples counseling, a slew of self proclaimed love guru’s flood the pages. You want a high value man? You have to be a high value woman. It gets pretty complicated fast. The guys talk about how they’ve become open minded to therapy for navigating their relationships because they opt for personal growth.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the liberation and liability of being a free thinker. When we look back in history, we often find that people who dared to invent and innovate, were often on the fringe of society. Galileo was punished for believing the earth wasn't flat and set out to prove it. He became an outcast. We need to be challenged to evolve and Zi talks about the repercussions of not changing. Just asking questions begins the process and they discuss why the current cultural landscape is not set up for evolution.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss when it's time to "jump ship" and move on from something that no longer works for you. Everything costs energy. When it comes to our health and well-being, sometimes what we put in is more detrimental to us than beneficial. This podcast we ask Master Zi, how do we know its time to move on? When it's right for us and when it's not?
This week Master Zi and Vindesh continue the conversation about relationship dynamics in the West. Master Zi explains the difference between yin and yang and how the balance has been interrupted by misunderstanding. Relationships take work and like a garden, must be nurtured to fruit. They discuss current trends in the cultural landscape and how the gender plurality movement is changing dynamics for young people.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the "Standard American Relationship." Just like the Standard American Diet, how we approach our relationships can be just as unsustainable. An article by Justin McCurry for The Guardian on September 13th, 2022 inspired the guys to talk about the newest phenomenon in Japanese youth culture. The article "Record Number of Younger People are Rejecting Marriage" indicates young people are ditching traditional partnerships, are overworked and less interested in sex. Zi shares his insight on how this affects overall health and why intimacy is the anti-dote to stress. They talk about why it's important for our overall health to have community and share close moments with loved ones because it extends our life. If we don't have this in place, loneliness becomes a silent killer.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore how traumatic events shape our physiology. Stress is unavoidable, but we can manage it to improve our health rather then age us. Zi discusses studies that show the presence of a loved one or a community helps offset bad stress. One of the major predictors of good health is the presence of oxytocin. A hug, snuggle, or an intimate meal with a loved one is enough to take your physical body from distress to "eustress," the good stress. Since we know this now, why aren't we practicing more compassion as a society? Zi shares his insight on why chemical reactions affect our behavior.
Who owns culture? This week Zi and Vindesh once again explore the cultural appropriation movement. Dr. Rob Hoffman, an acupuncturist and professional musician joins us briefly this week. They discuss how this movement may have started and why the boundaries are often blurry. Zi explains why cultural blending is an important phenomenon and how it helps us grow. Like bacteria in a dish, if we don't have diversity, we see health complications. It's important to have reverence for the knowledge each culture provides us, but if we don't share it, then we may lose out on some great opportunities.
This week Zi and Vindesh are back to discuss the correlation of diet and mental health. A healthy diet doesn't just pertain to what we eat. Zi shares his thoughts about current health trends and why we are already in crisis. It's important now more than ever to source our food and we must also be mindful of the relationships we nurture.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss why your external enviroment directly affects your internal "invironment." We've all heard the age old saying, "you are what you eat," but there is way more to it. This episode Zi shares what he means by invironment, and how we can cultivate a holistic environment. As long as we can recognize when we are out of alignment, we can work on it. Almost every religion or philosophy has a common thread, to go within and seek answers. The guys discuss how modern society is shying away from this belief and why it's contributing to the decline of our overall health and well being as a species.
This week Zi and Vindesh ask themselves, why are we so angry? Vindesh recently had an opportunity to unplug and go on vacation with his family. What he noticed was the immense weight of city life stimulation lifted, and the stillness of being in nature was restorative. They explore how this plays out in our current society when people are hit with a series of unfortunate events and unable to take the time to grieve because of our go-go mentality. A couple of weeks ago, we saw two fiery and fatal car crashes happen back to back. What if we all stopped for a moment to take stock in what we have to be grateful for before we act on our emotions? Is that asking a lot? This week the guys ponder what it would take to calm an angry society.
This week Zi and Vindesh welcome Chopmaster J and his son, Chase, to the podcast. We talk about the importance of art and the role it plays in society. The creative process is a divinely orchestrated experience. Music and art have their own vibration and when attuned to that frequency, the artist is able to manifest and shape their vision so we can also experience that phenomenon. Chopmaster J and Zi go way back and reminisce about the times when they worked with Tupac in the music industry. Lots of history here and stories from the underground.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss codeswitching. Vindesh recently started performing his spoken word project and received some great advice from a world renowned actor, Ben Vereen. Zi shares his life stories and Vedic wisdom in hopes that Vindesh undstands that though codeswitching seems counterintuitive, being able to do so can lead to harmony and open you up to new experiences.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the effects of polarization in our society. Vindesh was asked to be apart of an article on how to heal America. One of the topics that rose from that article was how divided our country is. We have such an aggressive narrative when it comes to politics that it splits families, fuels petty wars, and undermines our general health. This episode we discuss how to overcome the negative aspects of living in a polarized society.
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about being home. Though it’s summer, a high travel time, people are experiencing more delays, lost luggage, and cancelations. Yet, they are still booking and now looking to the future for their dream vacations. Like they need to make up for lost time. We are focused on what is next, but what about now? Zi and Vindesh explore this phenomenon and talk about why it’s important to make your own home a sanctuary. As always, they provide insight on how to make these little lifestyle changes and why it has such a big impact.
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about soul and what leads to soul cultivation. We are joined by Peace, Sleuth, and Jonta whom share their point of view of what shaped their souls. This conversation was spawned by the recent mass shootings. These shooters all of have certain things in common and people say the same thing, "they've got no soul." What does that mean exactly? Zi offers insight of this phenomenon and why it's written in ancient texts like the Vedas and Tao. I guess you could say this episode has plenty of soul!
This week the Zi and Vindesh discuss how not to be the greater fool. They discuss decentralized currency, the housing market, and obesity in America. At some point in all of these industries, people were sold an idea or narrative that if they participate in this investment, they will still be bailed out by the government. It's not that it is a bad thing to receive assistance, instead this episode focuses on how to avoid being on the ship of fools at all. Zi discusses personal stories and experiences of his clients who are insiders in theses industries and shares what they told him about these trends. Somehow, we were also able to cover the topic of rainbow frogs.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the dark side of technology. Zi invited Stan Shaw to the podcast to the conversation. Smart phones are great tools, but they are also robbing humans of certain experiences. We now have an entire generation that never knew life without internet. In some ways, they no longer have to work hard to overcome obstacles since the answers are on "Google." We talk about this paradigm shift and why humans aren't happier with the newest technology.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss PTSD and how it plays a role in society. Zi approaches PTSD from a different perspective. We tend to think that something is wrong with us after we experience the traumatic event. However, it’s a healthy response because only a sociopath would not feel anything after the loss of a loved one or etc. If we can begin to change the narrative and how we talk about PTSD, we can find the solutions to overcoming the anxiety and depression that arises from these life events.
This week the guys welcome Sleuth to the podcast. Sleuth is a long time friend of Zi's and they met while working in the music industry. They talk about the days they use to work with Tupac and the Digital Underground and what it was like working with artists who were considered cutting edge for the way they talked and the music they wrote. Society dictates what is acceptable to say and what is not, but who polices this? Society does. What happens if you were to just express yourself sincerely and truthfully? Zi and the guys discuss how that has ramifications but is worth it in the end.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss what it means to be rooted in reality. As an experiment, Zi spent the week reading different articles and studies just to see where humanity is at. What he realized is we are further and further away from reality. Using the example of the placebo effect, Zi shares that often times during those trials individuals who received the placebo still do better because they believe they will. The reason that same experiment falls flat with animals, is because animals are rooted in the present. Though we have similar DNA make up, how we perceive the world is far different. How do we stay rooted in this reality?
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the difference between responding and reacting. The hindrance to action is hesitancy. If there is no clarity of movement, then the response will be delayed. They discuss why this can work in your favor. When there’s stillness, there is clarity. They talk about how news outlets use this strategy to maintain a herd mentality. The guys discuss why that’s detrimental to our overall health.
This week Zi and Vindesh welcome Kiazi to the podcast. Kiazi is Zi's nephew and is a drummer in the family's music company. They explore relationships and what makes one sustainable. They discuss the role of couples therapy, self-discipline, and knowing your needs before committing to a life partner. Communication is key but also it's your mindset. Zi shares his insight and experiences of maintaining life-long friends and relationships.
This week Zi and Vin discuss how life is constant while death is finite. Zi shares his experience of being with people in their final moments in this physical plane. The process is always the same. "The physical body is just the stinky bag our souls live in," Zi says in reference to what Buddha once told his students. While much remains a mystery in the afterlife, one thing that is certain is this life is all we have. The guys ask themselves what it means to fully live, and if so many are afraid of death, are they living at all?
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the current socioeconomic landscape and how it's missing courtesy. Zi uses the example, "Happy Traveler" any why people who are courteous tend to be good travelers. They suggest that our current society does not value courtesy, but instead greed. We will continue living in these uncertain circumstances that lead to violent mass events until we begin to extend courtesy. What does it take?
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the different expressions of love. Zi talks about divine love, and how the yogis approach unconditional love. It’s a hard practice because it means you still must love something even when it’s not easy. They use nationality as a reference point and how people can love their country despite knowing that the country doesn’t love them back. We see this play out in relationships all the time when partners say, “I love you when…” It’s a sacrifice to love someone when things aren’t easy, but that’s the deepest form of love and will carry you through hardships.
This week Zi and Vindesh ask themselves, “what are we here for?” Currently, oil prices are skyrocketing, a pandemic is still going on, and political unrest continues to cause global upheaval. For the average individual, it's becoming increasingly hard to navigate the world's increasing costs. They discuss what they think the priority should be and why focusing on overall health is the best thing you can do.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the different perspectives of events ranging from the war in Ukraine, gender rights, and buddhism. They ask each other why people go a long with herd mentality, when we live in a time where there's such a broad range of humanity. Ultimately, Zi explains why "Know Thyself" is such a key principle in a lot of the oldest philosophies.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss why living your truth ultimately leads to liberation. What keeps us back? Being afraid of how we’ll be perceived by the world around us can dictate how we express ourselves. Zi and Peace share stories from their personal lives that led them to finally embracing their truth. Once they addressed the root of their obstacles, they rocketed forward in all of their endeavors. Knowing yourself is key and has been shared in numerous philosophical writings from all over the world. What does it take? Zi and Vin ask themselves that same question.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the current socioeconomic landscape and response to the developing war in Ukraine and Russia. The term "rope-a-dope" is a boxing strategy that Muhammed Ali used in a match against George Foreman. Essentially, Ali trained himself to sustain multiple blows at a time in order to build up his endurance. This would allow the opponent to exhaust themselves first. They discuss how this strategy can be effective in daily life and how we communicate with the world around us.
This week Zi and Vindesh really dive deep into unraveling the myths about "saving" people. A lighthouse has saved more ships and people than the coast guard. It is a beacon that serves as an omen, this is rocky terrain. Zi touches on the philosophy of Moksha, which the Vedas describe as pure liberation. They also discuss the current turmoil in Ukraine and Russia and address the racist underpinnings behind the media's coverage. What does it truly mean to help someone, and how does helping yourself first help others? Zi shares his many insights and personal experiences.
"We are a common species with cultural differences." This week Zi and Vindesh use examples from the news of the week to find our commonalities instead of our differences. Ultimately, we all want the same thing for ourselves and our loved ones. So, why do we think we are so different from one another. Empathy can give us keys to understanding even if it's bizarre. If we practice a certain kind of humility and courtesy, there can be harmony. First we must ask ourselves, "Do I feel threatened by opposing views?"
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the many possibilities of gene expression. Lately, Zi has been researching the role that genes play when it comes to determining your health. We are beginning to understand the correlation between genes and our environmental conditions. Zi mentions that each gene leads to thousands of little things. We have more power to manipulate our DNA expression than we believe.
This week we welcome Peace back to the podcast. Zi and Vindesh explore dun…dun…dun…DRAMA! It takes a tremendous amount of energy to sustain drama and have dramatic episodes. Most often, people rely on drama as way to release or express emotions that they have repressed. Zi shares his experiences and how he doesn’t like pettiness because it requires the same amount of energy as fighting but no one wins. He craves peace in his daily life and can’t even stand novelas. Vindesh asks him what role drama plays in our interpersonal relationships and why it affects our health.
This week we welcome a special guest, Peace Williams. In addition to being an entrepreneur and restaurant owner, he has dedicated himself to mentoring young people. This week Zi and Vindesh continue to discuss how honor is dissolving and its impact on society. We live in a culture that currently does not value honesty. They discuss current events such as Whoopi Goldberg’s suspension for the comment she made about the Holocaust and also share their personal stories.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss pressure, the good kind and bad kind. The pandemic is well into year 3 now, and there's still no relief in sight. The world is getting frustrated, but there's still hope. As Zi says, "life is hope." They explore different ways to navigate mental health so as not to become consumed with the rage. What can we learn during this tumultuous time? Zi shares his experiences and insight of the human condition.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the latest current events and what survival instinct looks like in a modern society. Zi explains why it's so important to cultivate situational awareness. They discuss what harmony in modern life could look like. It begins with understanding your self but in this current society we must learn how to mitigate stress first. Zi says, "We each have our own journey. It’s foolish to think we have more time than we do. Pull back and that can be enlightening."
This week Zi and Vindesh continue the conversation about the opt out philosophy and how it can be applied in daily life. Zi elaborates on why self ownership is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Does the "faceless committee" have your best interests in mind? Zi and Vindesh explore ways to navigate cancel culture and the importance of choosing relationships that already support you.
We are back in action and hope everyone had a Happy New Year! This week Zi and Vindesh explore the current events and trends from 2021. One question they ask is, “What is individual liberty and what does that mean in a shared society?” Zi shares more insight on his “opt out” philosophy and why it may be better for overall health and longevity.
This week Zi and Vindesh contemplate what it takes to maintain harmony in relationships even when your views don’t align with your partner, friend, family member and so on. Zi shares his knowledge of working with different people and in different countries and how that has shaped his understanding of how to have a harmonious lifestyle. Ultimately, we should live a life that is joyous, and this week they try to understand how to cultivate harmony when there is disharmony.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore what it takes to lead a joyful life. According the Buddha, joy is the purpose of life and suffering is inevitable. Zi explores what happens when life events prevent us from seeing the joy all around us. If we are lucky, we have 100 years here and this week we focus on what habits beget longevity.
Why don’t we pay attention to the signs and wait until it’s too late? Zi and Vin explore this question this week especially regarding omens for your personal health. As Zi puts it, omens are preview of things to come and are not always negative. They serve as mile markers on a journey. However, humanity has this ability to override this information and like Zi says, “Go golfing during a lightning storm.”
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about what happens when a movement or symbol starts begins with a good intention, but ultimately, like fruit left out too long, becomes rotten. Movements or symbols become co-opted by other individuals with different agendas. We’ve seen this play out in “woke” culture. Now, we don’t even know what that really means. They discuss this topic and how it plays out in different arenas of life.
This week Zi and Vindesh continue the conversation from last week’s topic. They discuss the change that occurs before evolution can even take place. Like running a marathon, just the commitment to finish can be enough to take you farther than you thought you could run. Zi and Vindesh talk about why pressure to change something initiates from the inside. It’s often the hardest part of getting started, but the most rewarding.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss evolution and technology’s role in the development of the current human condition. Ultimately, Zi says technology should work for us and not us for it. He describes the big advancements being made in the medical field but because it is not valued in the news stream, we do not know the substantial information coming through regarding cancers, Alzeiheimers and other positive news. They explore whether we are actually evolving or declining. Zi shares a personal experience that helped him understand the signs that a civilization is evolving.
This week Zi and Vindesh pull stories from the week and focus their attention to the current cancel culture. Zi just asks one question, why can't we just live and let live? Every movement spawns a new movement, but we've stopped listening to each other. In this madness, we are becoming less resilient. Vindesh points out that evolution does require some conflict but we've made it so hard to have discourse. They have a fun time exploring these themes and as always find a way to connect it back to the opt-out philosophy.
This week Zi and Vindesh review the influencer culture and how it’s shaped the socioeconomic landscape. In this reflection, they notice that honor does not seem to be valuable in this society. Zi highlights stories from this week and discusses the reviews of Dave Chappell’s new comedy special “The Closer.” They examine the current human condition and why these political battles are impacting our overall health.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore their feelings on...feelings! They are inspired by the recent whistleblower Frances Haugen who ousted Facebook's data recovery program which revealed that negative information or news spreads faster than positive. It keeps Facebook members more actively engaged on their platform. Zi shares his insight on how feelings can be deadly and how they do impact our health.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore what it takes to read people and increase situational awareness. Vin brought this topic up because of the recent report that violent crime is up, there are public service announcements everywhere promoting mental health and the general physical health of people is declining. Zi shares his experience and the techniques he applies when he reads people and ideas as to how to navigate these events.
This week Zi and Vindesh ponder the question, “Why is the rich man’s chance of going to heaven so bad?” It’s a phrase Zi opens with as he and Vin discuss why “materially poor” people seem so much happier. Whether it’s because the former seem to pursue the endless pursuit or the latter are much more in check with what they actually need, we can’t seem to ask ourselves at the end of this podcast, “what does our heaven on earth” look like? Zi ends the note with a meditation that may help us with this question.
What is holistic fatalism? Zi and Vindesh cover this topic and explain how a fatalist mindset can be beneficial to your health. Zi describes it as way to save energy and reduce stress by accepting things we can’t change. It’s letting go the idea that we need to control everything or even can in the first place. The Vedas describe fate as the wayward mistress, and Zi provides more insight into that story.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss a fun topic and exercise to get to know the self more. As Vindesh explores his spoken word project, Jonta, one of Zi's nephews, recommends building a playlist of what you like to listen to. This helps build a yantra of the self. So, what is on your playlist?
This week Zi and Vindesh cover a story from the Vedas that many of us can relate to today. He shares the story about Yudhisthira and Kunti Ma. They both lived with a set of principles but each of them made different choices with their hardships. One was authentic, while the other struggled to mask their true self. We talk a lot about influencer culture on this podcast, but in this sense, we can begin to understand why living authentically, though very hard to do, is worth it in the end.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the topic of disappointment and why it affects our mental health. Disappointment often arises from having expectations. Once it is revealed that what you were expecting won't be delivered, we tend to focus on negative resentment for whomever is responsible. However, Zi shares tools of how to avoid most disappointment in the first place.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss grief. We all have to come to our own understanding of how we deal with loss. Zi shares stories of the people he lost both young and old. Vindesh reflects on his grandmother’s death and how that helped him have a better understanding of life. Zi stresses the importance of grieving and why avoiding it has a negative effect on your health.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the phrase, "they are built like scrap iron." What does that mean exactly? We envision a person who overcame extreme adversity and managed to weather the storm. Zi shares experiences his own life experiences facing hardship and how Vedic philosophies and stories kept him going despite his suffering. Vin asks him how someone who hasn't had as many hardships can embrace this lesson.
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about the extraordinary phenomena that is life. Zi makes a good point about living life to the fullest and what it means to really feel "alive." They discuss what they think the meaning to life is and why we go through the hardships we do. Like Zi says in this episode, you can't laugh unless you've cried.
This week Zi and Vindesh focus on mental health awareness. Zi mentions that anxiety is meant to serve a purpose, but when we operate on anxiety a majority of the time, it becomes detrimental to our brain health. Vindesh asks Zi for solutions and exercises that help mark the level of anxiety and reduce the physical symptoms. Zi mentions that sitting is the new cigarettes and why movement is so important for overall health.
This week Zi shares his most recent synchronicity that restored his faith in the world. Vindesh shares his thoughts on faith and what makes it such a powerful force. Zi’s story is about a chance encounter with a woman who trained under the same track coach he did, Mr. White. Mr. White recently passed away, but his teachings and life philosophies live on in those students that were lucky enough to learn from him.
This week Zi and Vindesh continue their conversation about communication and right speech. Naturally, this topic turns to relationships and why we work on our communication styles to begin with. Zi uses his experiences as an example as to why we should be straight forward with everyone and everything in our life. We also learn what is most important to him in his personal relationships.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the art of communication. People often say you must read between the lines, but that requires a lot of assumption and energy. Zi says he sees this most with couples that have a hard time being on the same page because they don’t ask for what they want. Right speech is a principle of Buddhism and Zi explores this philosophy and how it applies to our every day life. Zi blasts Caitlin for her own ambiguous communication style, which is always fun.
Other people’s ability to see your vision is limited. This week Zi and Vindesh talk about the fine line of sticking to your truth, but be receptive enough to listen to others feedback. How do you balance that in a dispassionate away? Zi and Vindesh discuss how to walk this fine line without losing yourself and your vision.
This week Zi and Vindesh cover a story from the Vedas about the Sense Mind Army. The Sense Mind Army is deployed in warfare to confuse the opponent with distractions and illusions. Essentially, they would use your senses against you. Flash forward to today, we have virtual technology and constant notifications take us away from the present moment. We have to mine the news feed in order to get the actual news. All of this takes a toll on our overall health. Zi and Vindesh explore this ancient story and how it compares to today’s cultural landscape.
This week we welcome back David Nik as a special guest. Zi and Vindesh discuss why it’s important to have uncomfortable conversations with those close to you. By avoiding conflict, we can cheat ourselves of moving past the obstacle in the way of deeper intimacy. Question everything is Zi’s advice and they talk about the incentive programs for the vaccinations.
This week Zi and Vindesh cover a topic that comes up a lot in our podcast. Why do we suffer?
Zi describes the way the ego works and compares it to an animal. He also breaks down the different kinds of suffering we go through in life and why the worst kind is the one we invite in. Vindesh asks Zi how we can manage the ego and what it takes to “starve” it.
This week we welcome guest Ed Dellis to the podcast. When Zi met Ed, he had met his match. Now, 20 years later they get together again and talk about what has happened in that span of years. Zi describes the ripple effect that takes place when we make choices. He always says, "do not be fooled by the transience of time."
This week Zi and Vindesh are fired up about the book Zi has been reading called "The Brain Body Diet" by Sara Gottfried. The author describes her life changing experience after she had a traumatic injury. She found herself having to change diet and narrative in order to recover from a brain surgery. Zi and Vin talk about how her story is helping so many and uncovers a lot about what's going on in the environment and how it impacts our health. As the Vedas say, "the best happiness is contentment."
This week Zi and Vindesh catch up and talk about their latest trip together. Zi shares his experience with losing a friend and how his friendship shaped his life. Vindesh reflects on the funeral and what he took away from meeting a few people from Zi’s past. In the Vedas, it is said that those who die with many friends truly lead a divine life. They talk about the importance of diet and what you eat physically, spiritually, mentally.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss if complaining is really worth all of the effort it takes. Sometimes we just forget to appreciate what we have right in front of us. Zi says having gratitude is the best grounding exercise. They bring up the the Buddhist death meditation and why it is practiced.
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about empathy. Zi discusses the part of your brain that corresponds with empathy and the pineal gland. We have the ability to develop this part of our brain, but it does require practice. Vindesh asks Zi how he is able to read people’s health so well. Zi shares with us his formula and how we can also learn this skill.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss how pride and shame are one and the same. Zi describes how these feelings can create a vicious cycle and lack of self-ownership Shame hinders your ability to improve yourself. They get into the topics of the day where this dynamic is played out and why it's so important to know yourself.
This week on The DPO we reflect on those moments that happen that forever change our lives. Zi and Vindesh discuss the ramifications of being reactive and how the ego can hijack our logic and emotions. This episode includes a challenge. A challenge to better understand yourself and how to choose to respond to life’s storms. What moment changed your entire life’s trajectory causing that one day to feel like an entire year? Zi warns not lament in regret, but to understand the lesson.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore what it means to express the truth in your heart. Zi shares his experiences working with people who are faced with a life changing illness and must find a way to endure. There is a commonality between them and what he’s seen work is that love carries you all the way.
This week Zi and Vindesh tackle a topic that most of us have said in our life, "common sense is not common." Zi shares his experience when he switched from an iPhone to Android and how Apple is brilliantly highjacking our brains. What does this mean for humanity? We have more access to information than ever before, but with that comes a consequence. This new tech boom could be affecting our brain development, and they talk about what longterm effects may come of this wave.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the topic of how to find yourself. Zi discusses how the digital landscape has created an “anti-hero” narrative and how the rise of influencers can cloud your development to self-realization. What if we get canceled? Zi addresses the downward spiral that happens when you buy into movements that don’t actually support your well being. These “digital warriors” and “twitter tyrants” are often times not even real humans, yet they inspire mass political agendas. We talk about how to opt out of what does not serve you.
This week Vindesh and Master Zi discuss the scientific view behind the buddhist brain. Now that there are more studies confirming the validation of ancient philosophies and medicines, we realize that the brain controls more of our reactions and responses than we thought. Zi talks about how the brain creates neuromaps, which you can think of as our own programming code. They share different strategies to unlock and take control of the patterns our brain has created.
This week we welcome guest Marianna Newsam, founder of MNO Therapy, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Master Zi and Vindesh have fun asking about her experience of working with young children and seek to understand what happens in those early years of development. Marianna and Zi both share their opinions of brain development in the child and adult mind. They offer tools and resources to help us and children learn practical life skills.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh explore the different ways of measuring intelligence. Zi discusses I.Q. versus E.Q. and why being empathetic is missing in today's society. Zi and Vindesh refer to the words of Buddha as they navigate what modern day intelligence really looks like and ways to cultivate it in our daily life.
We're back on track here at the studio! Today Zi and Vindesh explore what happens when you're "disappointed." Sharing from their own experiences, Zi describes how he navigates disappointment and what he's learned from working with clients. Vindesh asks Zi for his advice on handling challenging relationships.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the meaning behind life milestones. Our millenial guests Jonta Hall and Rob Stone join the conversation by asking what rights of passage look like during this era. Zi and Vindesh discuss their coming of age experiences and how those moments shaped their character and relationships.
This week Zi and Vindesh talk about control and how we deal with tendencies to want to control every aspect of life. There's an upside to planning, but then there is fate. Zi gives control freaks advice on how to break these patterns and go with the flow.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the phenomenon of "buffering" and how it hinders flow. Vindesh has recently been working on a creative project and has found it challenging to tap into that flow state. Zi breaks down what happens when we think too much and why the brain can't feel.
This week we welcome Rob Hoffman, a longtime friend and student of Zi's to the podcast. The guys continue the conversation about why we are living in a time where it's hard to tell truth from fiction. As Masters of Tai Chi, both Zi and Rob have incorporated the philosophy and scripts connected to their practice. They believe that in times of chaos, those drills and that understanding has helped anchor them. They share their experience of volunteering in Sri Lanka during the aftermath of the tsunami and how it completely opened their eyes to the richness of humanity.
This week Zi and Vindesh continue the conversation about the rise of the anti-hero theme. They explore why it's hard to do the right thing. Zi mentions the science behind breaking bad habits. One of his clients had a poor diet, and when he started working more with people he started to notice patterns of miseducation regarding nutrition. They wonder what it takes for people to become a steward of their own health.
Happy New Year! This week Zi and Vindesh reflect on the past year. Something that Zi and Vindesh continue to observe is the praise of the anti-hero archetype. The influencer, politician, and celebrity voices are heard louder than scientists and scholars. Zi and Vindesh discuss how this plays out in every arena in life and how being a "follower" impacts your health.
This week Zi and Vindesh exchange views on how scapegoating started and why it's so readily embraced in today's culture. We see it happen all the time in the media landscape. Journalists are quick to apply blame, but never explore both sides. Zi describes the process of breaking down the reasoning behind why we scapegoat, while Vindesh ponders what happens if we don't break free from these limitations.
Continuing their conversation about confirmation bias, Zi and Vindesh look into why people seek personal validation and how it hinders personal growth. Zi is inspired by Khalil Gibran and explains why gratitude will carry you through the storms in life.
This week Zi and Vindesh exchange views on confirmation bias and why people have a hard time tolerating information that conflicts with their personal beliefs. Zi points out that humans are unique in that we can choose our evolution. We can also initiate our own devolution. By choosing to consume information that supports our perspective, it limits our growth. Zi and Vindesh examine the ego and how it plays a role in evolution.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the many facets of making and nurturing connections. Zi discusses how the energy you put in should be reciprocated. Many times in our lives we have been hit with an event that has blinded sided us. The connections we have can either help sustain us or deplete us. Zi and Vindesh share their experiences of what makes a healthy connection. As always, Zi leaves us with some insight and advice to help navigate relationships.
This week we continue the discussion related to Investigation. Zi and Vindesh take it a step further and discuss why they believe investigating the self is worth the effort. As Zi describes, the path to enlightenment starts with the question, "Who am I." In indigenous cultures, often times children aren't named before they are born, instead they are granted a name upon birth or even a year after. What is your blueprint? Zi and Vindesh explore ideas and steps to take to find out.
This week we are presenting a two-part series. In part one, Master Zi and Vindesh invite a guest back to the podcast. Dave Amis is a private investigator and has a background in police enforcement and teaching self-defense. Using current events, they explore why in our society, it is easier to trust a rumor rather than research for facts. Dave shares his experiences from the cases he's worked on why people need evidence to confirm their suspicions, when often times the truth is in their face. Zi and Vin discuss why we see the world they way we do and how hormones dictate our decision making.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss the visceral loop and the cycle of information we need to frame our reality. In order to have a full experience, all of the senses must be present. As Zi always like to say, "Nature abhors a vacuum." The brain also fills in any voids in communication with misinformation. An example of this is when we jump to conclusions without knowing all of the truth. They talk about strategies on how to manage the stress of dealing with grey areas in life.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore what it means to build character. How we face our challenges tells us a lot about who we are. Zi explains that the obstacles we overcome shape and add color to our lives. Vindesh wonders why it takes these pivotal moments in our lives to make the necessary changes. Zi shares an exercise that will ultimately help both parties develop better boundaries, but it can be uncomfortable.
This week Zi and Vindesh exchange views on what the purpose of truth is and how it is often a hard pill to swallow. Zi shares his insight from the Vedas and offers a contemporary meaning from the classical point of view. They go into personal experiences of moments of when the truth was bitter but ultimately liberating. Zi discusses how ignoring the truth can not only be detrimental to your mental well-being but also your physical health.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss how valuable expression is in the human experience. Vindesh opens up about how important Master Zi was in his process. Vindesh recently wrote and performed a spoken word album, and with the support his coach, Donald Lacy, was really able to breakthrough barriers he once thought were in place. Master Zi describes the Taoist principles behind expression and why it's an indicator of good health.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh talk about gaining a different perspective. After a day of flying a plane with a good friend, Master Zi was literally able to see from above how the pandemic is changing the social landscape. Shopping centers were packed, but the parks were empty. Master Zi and Vindesh discuss this trend and how provide tools on how to navigate all of the clustering.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss what happens after the Kali Yuga. Zi shares stories from his life that have helped have a better understanding of the human condition. He describes exercises that have worked from him and the benefits of being a dispassionate observer.
This week Zi and Vindesh continue their conversation about the Age of Kali. In this episode, they focus more on how to navigate the onset of challenges this cycle brings. It's an intense time for humanity. We are facing polarizing shifts in every area of life; however, the Vedas have left us clues and breadcrumbs as to how evolve through this era. Zi explains which strategies have worked well for him and his community.
This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the Kali Yuga, which is the 4th cycle of humanity as predicted by Lord Krsna. In this cycle, we are the furthest away from the center of the universe. We can look out our windows and see mass political unrest, the earth on fire, and influencers are seen as experts. Nothing really makes sense. However, we have been here before. Zi describes the signs of the Age of Kali, and how we can make it through.
Has someone ever tried to sell you something that's too good to be true? This week Zi and Vindesh explore how the Ponzi scheme formula applies to all facets of life. In order to have a healthy relationship, there needs to be a mutual benefit. All too often, we invest our time and energy to situations that deplete us rather than sustain us. We do this based on the hope that we will get what we invested in return. Zi and Vindesh discuss how this phenomena plays out in our relationships and how to identify it.
This week Master Zi, Vindesh, and Caitlin continue their conversation about empowered feminine archetypes. We pick up with Caitlin describing her personal life philosophy and how working with a lot of masculine energy has been an important part of the healing process. Master Zi and Vindesh discuss different archetypes and how understanding your own temperament promotes flow.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore a topic they can only speculate about, but recognize it when they see it. What makes a woman empowered? There are different models of archetypes in nature we can draw examples from. However, typically femininity is diminished in western society. Zi and Vin discuss modern day examples of women who get things done, and which character traits help them flow.
In this episode Zi and Vindesh discuss why it's essential we learn to identify and subdue ego. Zi shares what he's learned from his teachers about understanding the ego. Without exploring our relationship with ego, it can quickly govern us and limit our perspectives. He provides exercises to develop better self-awareness.
This week Zi and Vindesh measure the odds of living a life with less stress and anxiety. By understanding the way the brain works, we can begin to shift it's patterns and break free from what no longer serves us. Zi and Vindesh discuss why understanding certainty and uncertainty is key to finding harmony in your life.
This week Master Zi and Vindesh discuss what makes a relationship work. We see the divorce rates skyrocketing since the pandemic took off as well as a gambit of matchmaking dating shows that depict emotionally disconnected couples. Zi describes this phenomenon as a failure to thrive, and he has ideas on how to make partnering up a smoother process.
This week Zi and Vindesh consider a different perspective. What would a cosmic being think of humanity if it was observing from a distance? With this idea in mind, we can begin to become a dispassionate observer. Zi discusses the different brain functions taking place when someone begins to train thought patterns and tips to navigate managing anxiety when making decisions.
In part two of the Purpose of Passion series, Zi and Vindesh explore what happens in a passionless society as well as a culturural landscape with too much romance. It is challenging to walk the middle path, but it is the most sustainable solution. Zi discusses Buddha's Eightfold Path and how following the Dharma can lead one to calmer seas and a vibrant way of life.
This week Zi and Vindesh explore the purpose of passion. Without passion the world would have no art, music, or expression. However, too much passion is also unsustainable. Zi discusses why it’s vital to our health to have an understanding of the forces that propel us to move forward in the world. Hinduism and the texts teach valuable lessons for what a passionless society looks like, and when it’s necessary for humanity to suspend passion in order to establish a better way of life.
Zi and Vin pick up their discussion about creating narratives and solutions that hinder your personal growth. Drawing on their own life experiences, they explore solutions and actionable steps one can take to gain more personal freedom. Zi tells the story behind the Hero asana in yoga and how important it is to understand in modern times.
This week's episode is part 1 of a two part series where Zi and Vindesh focus on the correlation of the brain, and how it can improve or hinder overall health. The brain loves efficiency. It's less energy to think of a different route home, when we can take the same road without thinking. However, the habits we have aren't always serving us despite how little effort it takes to perform them. Zi and Vindesh discuss the negative effects of making conclusions based on easy comparisons of others. As always, Zi and Vindesh identify, process, and integrate solutions that can help get one back on track.
This week Zi and Vindesh welcome Katy Kvalvik, creator of the Harmony Method, to this episode about finding solutions during this current health crisis. It's easy to get stressed and lost in all of the information we see on the news and internet. They explore how we got to this point and what makes this pandemic different than other outbreaks. Katy describes her own experience of recovering from two major accidents and how that prompted her to take more control of her health and wellbeing. They share actionable tips on how to navigate your emotional, physical, and spiritual health during these uncertain times.
If we can think about our lives as if we are a character in grandiose cosmic drama, what role would you want to play? This week Zi and Vindesh discuss that understanding the part you play in your life can help you succeed in any direction you go. It is difficult, or as Zi chooses to say, it is a challenge. We are made stronger from our challenges. When it comes to fulfilling your health goals, just start the journey. Time is relative and the destination of life is death anyway so become the hero of your own story.
There is a movement in tai chi that depicts one of life’s hardest lessons. Change is difficult. In order to have stories, we must be able to turn the page. Zi and Vindesh explore what happens when we avoid change and how it corrupts our overall health and wellbeing. The cost of not changing is too high to avoid it. They continue to discuss how nature is our best teacher and what it can teach us about the current socio economic movements taking place.
An expression near and dear to Vindesh’s heart, sacred cows are a certain set of ideas or beliefs that we hold on to and believe to be true. This episode Zi discusses how “sacred cows” protect our reality and reinforce belief systems that hinder the human condition. Anything that unburdens you, decongests you. Zi and Vindesh explore the different sacred cows in current cultural landscape and how it important it is to build a life philosophy that serves you and your wellbeing.
This week Zi and Vindesh get fired up in their discussion about managing outrage and what the consequences are to your health if it's not kept in check. What are you outraged by? Zi suggests an exercise that clarifies what triggers are and what you can do to mitigate them. They explore the cultural shift taking place since George Floyd was killed during an arrest as well as the recent protests and looting.
Building on the conversation from last week about compassion and empathy, Zi and Vindesh discuss how the little acts of sacrifice are often missing in our lives. These acts of choosing an intimate moment with a partner over a game on tv, going to work knowing that your children will have a better future, or exercising in favor of watching Netflix contain so much more than we think. When we can knowingly give something up despite our desire not to, we become lighter. Zi breaks down his experience of how sacrifice enriches his life and fortifies character. Our ancestors have struggled and fought to get us to where we are today. Now more than ever, we need the sacred fire.
What is the difference between empathy and compassion? This week Zi and Vindesh talk about the cases of Susan Smith and Amy Cooper, who each used empathy as a form of empowerment. It's important to read and understand our environment and those that inhabit it. However, the understanding is not as important as the action. Compassion requires practice and knowing the difference can save lives, but most importantly, your own humanity.
*This recording has been edited since airing.
What does it mean to be a hero? Mythology has left us bread crumbs and role models like Hercules to draw from, but how do we modernize this ancient archetype? This week Zi and Vindesh invite some heroes on the podcast, Dave and Kevin. They share their experience as an investigator and fire fighter, respectively. Their friendship with Zi has taught them about heroism. By facing our challenges, we build character. They say diamonds are made under pressure, and so to our character shines in the moments where we must choose between courage or cowardice.
Sometimes, it is the accumulation of many small injuries that land the final blow. However, this isn't just a strategy you find in combat. We see this dynamic played out with our partners, bosses, and friends. What started as something little, that was glossed over initially, becomes a huge argument. How did it get to this point? Zi and Vindesh explore how this topic impacts not only the relationships we have but how it affects our physical health. Like a small cut, an insult here and there festers over time. As Zi likes to continually point out, life is short. These challenges can diminish our ability to live fully. So, tend to things when they are small.
The checks have gone out and been cashed. Some parts of the country have started to lift restrictions. We patiently stand by for the vaccine, which Bill Gates thinks should be mandatory. Why this virus and why this technology? This week Zi and Vindesh lead us into the murky territory of the conspiracy of asking questions. Dissent has been confused as disloyalty before in human history. It is said that every conflict has started from the heart of an individual. Why did their conflict become our conflict? Ask yourself this, "what won't you go along with?" Your answer may even surprise you.
Death can be a great teacher. Delving deep into the topic of life and death, Zi shares a meditation he learned from his time studying with the Yoga Sadhus in India. Thinking about death could be the key to living life. If you were to lose someone tomorrow, what might you say them? Sharing the story of losing his brother, Zi opens up about how that event helped him to become more openhearted.
As the quarantine continues, so does the global rise of divorce rates. This week Zi and Vindesh discuss the relationship dynamics that this pandemic is revealing. Now that we are no longer glued together by familiarity, we are facing challenges in some our closest relationships. How do you manage a healthy dialogue with your partner with out compromising your own form of expression? Going into yourself and doing an honest assessment of your relationships is the hardest thing to do, but there can be harmony. You can hear it when surrendering to the stillness. The beginning is near.
A few weeks in and we're still trying to make sense of this pandemic. One day the dow is up, the next it plummets along with our plans and ideas to navigate this. Many of us have had to readjust to the new normal. Gratitude is an anchor in the chaos. This week Zi and Vindesh discuss why mind is one thing worth controlling.
It's been a few weeks since we have hit the reset button. Still under quarantine, we have had to cancel travel plans, events to celebrate life's milestones, and our entitlement to think we were guaranteed those things. Time is an endless taskmaster, but for now in this moment, we get a second to pause. Zi and Vindesh discuss what we are gaining collectively through this pandemic. They explore the practical ways to navigate the "new" normal.
Continuing the conversation of the world's response to COVID-19, Zi and Vindesh question the cost of herd mentality. Special guest David Nik joins the podcast and discusses how martial arts philosophies are a good tool in developing critical thinking skills. As a society, we've thrown critical thinking out of the window. This is still an opportunity. With objective analysis of any situation, solutions can be found as long as we don't take them for granted.
Don't let a good crisis go to waste. This week Zi and Vindesh dive deep into the pathology of pandemics and how the cultural landscape has become a ground zero for viral rumors. The response to COVID-19 is like a dress rehearsal for when another mass event occurs. So this is an opportunity. It's an opportunity to step back and assess our resources, relationships, and mental health. Self-care is a term used a lot in the wellness world, and Zi discusses the benefits of looking after yourself first.
We've set ourselves up for this. Being disconnected from nature and shifting narratives to support our individualistic perspective of the world has not been sustainable. Zi and Vindesh break down the signs and patterns in our society that have led to the madness of the crowds. Normalizing unhealthy behavior has compromised our immune systems. Zi describes techniques to improve your immunity as well as your mental wellbeing.
We all understand there can be consequences to our speech, but not every offense is an assault. Without contemplation and humility, we lose opportunities to better ourselves. Seeking knowledge becomes arduous if it does not meet our expectations. Zi and Vindesh discuss the difference between an offense and a threat. Accept that people may you see in the way you don't see yourself.The irony of the current cultural landscape is in our attempts to not offend others, we suppress ourselves.
On this episode of a two part series, Zi and Vindesh discuss what it means to be offended. One word too far in a performance, and a comedian is no longer booked. The professor treads politics in order to avoid getting fired. Our words become lawsuits held against us, but what is really behind offensiveness? Zi talks about coming to terms with yourself and observing what happens when you feel offended. When we have no challenges to overcome, everything becomes too hard.
The more you seek comfort, the more elusive comfort becomes.