Host Michael Taft talks with teacher and author Ken McLeod about his insights into Vajrayana, spiritual practice as “choosing a way to live,” the Tibetan idea of lam khyer, the power of prayer as a kind of raw, naked stance, why the seeds of spirituality need to be nurtured in secret, difficulties Westerners face when attempting to work within traditional Asian religious systems, and the true meaning of spirituality.
Ken McLeod began his study and practice of Buddhism in 1970 under the eminent Tibetan master Kalu Rinpoche. After completing two three-year retreats, he was appointed as resident teacher for Kalu Rinpoche’s center in Los Angeles, California, where he developed innovative approaches to teaching and translation. After his teacher’s death in 1989, Ken established Unfettered Mind, a place for those whose path lies outside established institutions. His published works include The Great Path of Awakening, Wake Up to Your Life, An Arrow to the Heart, Reflections on Silver River, and A Trackless Path.
Ken’s website: Unfettered Mind
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Very thoughtful podcast. Lots to reflect on. Curious why you preceded it with such loud unpleasant and jarring ‘music’.
Thanks! I love that music. Different strokes…
Wonderful interview and perspectives…meaningul…
Thank you, Darlene!
Enjoyed this, thank-you. The music composition teacher Ken speaks of towards the end is Nadia Boulanger. Like many women artists, she is becoming much more widely known than in her lifetime.
Ten years ago I was involved in a Meditation Practice that touched on Ken’s work, and wanted to see what was going on with his new book. Coincidentally, via a series of Dharma talks with Ayya Khemma, my own practice became more Vajrayana-oriented and those insights of Ken’s are not far off from my own perceptions.