When does spirituality cease to be sacred and become performance? Dakota shares the drastically different encounters he had with Aghori while traveling through India. He brings on Dr. Robert Svoboda to learn more about Aghora practices and shares some of the extreme practices he encountered while traveling through India. In this episode, Dakota dives into: - The performative and theatrical dimensions of religious ritual - Dakota’s firsthand experience with the Aghori of India - Learning the power of spiritual practice through Bhavani Baba - The Aghori ritual of Shava Sadhana (meditation on the corpse) - Lessons from Vimalanda on illusion and superficiality - Loving your mother as a spiritual practice - Seeing through the relative and connecting to ultimate reality - The practice of non-attachment to passing experiences and states “Something that Vimalananda emphasized repeatedly is that the least important part of Aghora is the external part, the part where you’re applying a bunch of ashes and showing off, because that’s the superficial part. The important part is what's on the inside.” –Dr. Svoboda About Dr. Robert Svoboda: Dr. Robert Svoboda is the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He is the author of twelve books including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution and the Aghora series, which discusses his experiences with his mentor during the years 1975 – 1983. In the years since 1986, Dr. Svoboda has traveled extensively, spending three months per year on average in India. He often speaks on Ayurveda, Jyotish, Tantra and allied subjects in locales across the world. About Dakota Wint: Dakota Wint is a documentary filmmaker, vlogger, podcast host, and spiritual teacher from Detroit, Michigan. His films and podcasts revolve around current events, strange spirituality, and taboo traditions. Dakota grew to fame as an internet personality via his popular YouTube channel, Dakota of Earth. Dakota hosts retreats around the world and runs a non-profit focused on cultural and language preservation. Learn more about current happenings on his website. "We are just now in this festival with these Aghoris, there are animal sacrifices happening, there are exorcisms happening, there are people bleeding, people flailing on the ground, thousands of people just trying to get some energy from this festival. This is a very localized, specific energy portal. This is where I begin to see the power of spiritual practice—through Bhavani." –Dakota Wint ================ Subscribe today so you don't miss a single video podcast from Be Here Now Network: https://www.youtube.com/@BeHereNowNetwork You can catch more of your favorite shows like Krishna Das's Pilgrim Heart Podcast, Sharon Salzberg's Metta Hour Podcast and the Mindrolling Podcast with Raghu Markus over on our sub-channel, Be Here Now Podcast Network 2: https://www.youtube.com/@BHNNPodcasts2 ================ Be Here Now Network Podcasts, Courses, and Articles to help you live a Life in Balance. Heart-Centered wisdom from Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das + many more! Be Here Now Network delivers weekly insights into mindfulness, self-discovery, and Eastern philosophy through engaging podcasts, articles, and videos featuring renowned spiritual teachers. Inspired by Ram Dass' timeless wisdom, our platform serves as a guiding light for seekers on their path to greater awareness and inner peace. Whether you're exploring meditation, conscious living, or spiritual growth, our top-rated mindfulness podcasts provide thought-provoking discussions and practical wisdom. We believe that by transforming our own hearts, we can create a ripple effect of compassion and presence—one heart at a time. Start your journey today and deepen your connection to mindfulness with Be Here Now Network.